entle's blog

Sophie nearly drops her order pad when she spots Ben - the man from the train the week before - at the end of the bar, a glass of whiskey in front of him as he seems to be waiting for someone. He looks a little agitated, and she wonders if he’s waiting for a date.

She frowns. She didn’t text soon enough. He’s moved on. 

Easy come, easy go, she thinks. It was one brief moment on a train with a stranger. Who cares? 

Still…

“What’s that look for?” Alfie asks as he makes a cosmopolitan for another customer. 

“Nothing,” Sophie says quickly. “It’s nothing. He’s just…someone.” 

Alfie blinks at her. “Someone? Sophie Baek, if you don’t tell me this instant, I’m gonna make him a vodka soda and tell him it’s from you.” 

Sophie gives him a shocked look before blowing out a breath. “He’s…train guy.” 

Alfie’s eyes widen as he looks back down the bar. “That’s train guy? Ooh. Sophie. You undersold that one. He is fit.” 

Sophie smiles sheepishly. “He is. And he was very sweet. But he gave me his number and I never used it, and now it looks like he’s waiting for a date.” 

“No, he doesn’t.” 

“What?” 

“He doesn’t!” Alfie laughs. “Look at him. Shirt’s buttoned all the way up. Hair is overly neat. He’s either waiting for a business contact or a family member.” 

“But-” 

“Go say hello,” Alfie orders. 

“Alfie!” 

“Vodka soda,” he sing-songs out the threat. 

Sophie groans, shoves her order pad into her apron and rushes over before she can lose her nerve. She stands behind him awkwardly and reaches out once and then stops. And then reaches out again and taps his shoulder. 

Ben turns, a little confused at first, but his eyes light up when he sees her. “Sophie! From the train!” 

“Hi,” Sophie smiles back, unable to help herself. 

“What are you- you work here,” he figures out quickly. “I didn’t know!” 

“I didn’t say,” Sophie grins sheepishly. “Or text. I’m sorry. I…I think I lost my nerve a little.” 

“Ah,” he chuckles. “That’s okay. I mean. You didn’t have to text, if you didn’t want to.” 

“I wanted to,” she tells him quickly. “I just…” she shrugs. 

Ben tilts his head as he gazes at her for a long moment before he reaches out a hand. “Phone.” 

Sophie purses her lips and hesitates before pulling it out, unlocking it, and handing it over. 

He grins and opens her text messages and texts himself quickly. “Now I have your number. And I can text you.” 

She smiles and nods. “Okay. Yeah. Good.” 

Ben laughs softly and hands it back. “Listen, I’m meeting my sister for dinner here tonight, but maybe after your shift ends…?” 

“A drink?” she supplies. 

He smiles and nods. “If you’re not too fed up with customers.” He looks around the crowded lounge. “This place is busy.” 

Sophie smiles. “I will reserve some social energy just for you.” 

Ben’s smile widens. “I’m honored.” 

She takes a breath. “I have to get back to work. But…I’m off at eleven.” 

“Then I will meet you here at the bar at eleven,” he promises. 

Sophie nods, smiling again and rushing away, back to Alfie. 

He grins at her. “So?” 

“He’s going to buy me a drink after my shift ends,” Sophie tells him.

“See? Good things happen when you listen to me, Sophie Baek!” Alfie crows. 

“Shush, he’ll hear you!” Sophie hisses. 

Alfie turns to the other bar tender. “Hazel, comp his drink. He made me right.” 

Hazel laughs. “Absolutely not.”