“You want more coffee, Sweetie?” Linda passed by the table, skirt bouncing with each happy step. She was a tiny little thing with black hair and almost ludicrously large brown eyes.
“Sure, Doll,” Mark’s build was hidden by the zoot suit. He had delicate eyes and a strong jawline. Black, tight curls lay under his fedora. Her co-workers said he could be a “pimp wrapped in a congressman.”
Linda filled the cup and sat across from him. He smiled a little.
“What?” She giggled.
“Nothing…” a sheepish grin and a sip.
“No,” she giggled again, “tell me.”
“Well…” another sip and a slight grin, “...your eyes are…interesting. Your smile is…great.” She found his voice cold, yet soft and inviting.
“Hm…” she leaned forward, “...explain.”
“Well…” he sipped. She thought his eyes sparkled, “...I’ve never seen that color in someone’s eyes before.”
“You’ve never seen the color of my eyes before?”
“Yes…” he smiled, his voice was deep enough to shake a glass of water, “... just not in an eye. It’s a very interesting green. I’ve only seen it on a stone I collected in the Middle East. Maybe, something simple as green turquoise. But, it is beautiful.”
She blushed, “thank you.”
“Your smile…is warm and overtly genuine.” Another sip.
“Do you always notice things like this about people?” she bit her lip.
“Not all people.”
“Women?”
“...Not all women.” Wink.
They stared at each other.
“Miss? Could I have some coffee?” A voice came from another booth.
“Sure thing, hun.”
He watched her reflection in the metal coffee pot. She came back to retrieve it and winked, “be right back.”
He closed his eyes, breathing slowly. Mark’s ears listened to the hearts around him – the blood flowing and breathing. Linda’s became clearer. Then, it was the only one in the room. He turned to the window and watched her reflection move to the counter.
“Two Adam and Eve’s on a raft, no bacon,” said the cook.
She picked it up and went to another table. He looked back at his coffee as she approached him once more.
“You gonna eat, hun?” Linda touched his shoulder.
“I generally only go out for coffee. I tend to eat in.”
“Don’t like restaurant food, huh?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” he smiled, “I just like other menus. This place is great, but I like it for the coffee,” he took her hand, “and the company.” His voice, still attractively cold.
She smiled, “You do come in every night.”
“I do,” he winked, “maybe we could go for a walk on your break. The river is close.”
“Oh, I don’t know…” she put his hat on her head, “...I don’t know you. You could be a killer.”
He chuckled, “I’m no killer. Just a fan of pretty girls with light in their eyes named Linda.”
“I’ll go clock off,” she kept his hat.
He felt the point on his canines with his tongue and laid money on the table.
“Meet me outside…I’ll be waiting.”
