After work Dez met Qays for coffee at Crème. Dez felt shy and anxious since she wasn't sure this was a date. Even though they've been texting for the last couple of days she couldn't muster up the courage to ask him.
It was late but there was still a few people in the cafe. They ordered their drinks and Dez got the carrot cake. She loves sweets and carrot cake has always been her favorite. Crème was quickly becoming her favorite coffee place. The aroma, the atmosphere, it was all perfect. The added bonus was that it was close to her new house and the beach.
It took Dez a while to get out of her own head as she sat and chatted with Qays in the outdoor seating area. What helpt was Qays animated story telling, he really painted a picture with his hand gestures. He even included sound effects. Qays had the craziest and wildest stories about this small town and its citizens. Dez was really enjoying herself. She liked Qays's toothy smile; she liked how his canines poked out of his mouth even when his mouth was closed. He was definitely cute. As they talked more she found out that he had the overjoyed vibe.
He told her that he was in a band with Kareem and another friend tho they aren't active anymore. Kareem is their lead vocalist while Qays plays the guitar. She told him how her dad had taught her the piano and how playing it was her favorite thing in the world. That since coming to Melino she hasn't touched a key and was hoping to save up to buy a piano soon.
When they finished their coffee Qays asked if she was up for a walk. He said he wanted to show her something. She readily agreed since she loved the vibe of this town at night.
The town was peaceful and dark. She could hear the bugs and the ocean as they walked towards the center of the town. They talked about music and what they liked listening to but somehow they ended up in a heated discussion about their hatred for late-night talk show comedians.
They got to Castle Plaza where they first met and walked to a little gazebo tucked on the side of a building. Qays had goofiest smile on his face as he showed her a piano sitting there. He told her it was open to the public and that he thought it would help her scratch the itch to play while she was saving up. Dez blinked her eyes several times to stop herself from crying. She moved closer to the piano and ran a finger over the keys without pushing them down.
As if transfixed, Dez sat on the bench and played. Her fingers moved over the keys as if they were finally home. By the time she looked up from the piano Qays was looking at her intensely. His goofy smile wasn't plastered to his face anymore. Her fingers stumbled over the piano keys, making a jarring din.
She bounced up off the bench, nearly tripping. Looking up she found Qays holding her by her shoulders, preventing her from face-planting. Their faces were pixels apart, making Dez unconsciously look at his lips and freeze in place. His mouth was moving but she couldn't hear what he was saying. Not knowing how long she was absorbed looking at his lips. Her eyes moved up and caught his; her face heated and she stepped back out of his arms.
Dez turned around, facing away from Qays. She blurted out a sorry and said that she probably shouldn't have played so late at night disturbing people's sleep. He said that it wasn't a big deal since the building they were next to only had one occupant right now. She turned around facing him and saw his toothy smile, which calmed her from her panicked state.
He went on to say that he knew personally that this resident always sleeps with his noise-canceling headphones on so she has nothing to feel guilty about. Dez thanked him for showing her the piano and said that she had a nice time today. His smile widened and he said that he had a great time too and that he would love to hear her play again.
Feeling a little shy she blurted that she should probably head home if she wanted to get enough sleep and still make it for her shift tomorrow. Qays asked to walk her home, and she said she'd like that.
As they walked Dez got less shy and more comfortable talking to Qays. Dez complained to him about her job at Maurice's and how they had her wearing a crusty old toast costume. She was so desperate for a job at the time that She had agreed to it when they were hiring her. The manager claims it's to help generate business but Dez is sure they have a humiliation kink she told him. She hears a muffled pfft and glared at him. Qays looks back at her innocently. Anyways she continued I'm either finding a better job as cook in cute little restaurant asap or burning that place down and claiming it was accident. At least she'd get satisfaction from that and even enjoy a pretty bonfire before starving she told him. He loses it at that, laughing he said that he had to see the fit for him self so he was definitely coming for his lunch break tomorrow. She rolls her eyes and gave him the finger. Qays really puts her at ease with his easy going personality. She smiles and laughs with him calling him an ass who might have a humiliation kink.
By the time they got to her house, Dez was feeling relaxed. Qays looked at he intently and asked if next time they could make it a date. Dez raised a brow and said jokingly she thought this waaas a date. He laughed and said he wanted to ask her properly this time. He said he wasn't sure if she thought it was a date since he worded it so casually and was regretting that. This made Dez blush. It put an end to her circulating thoughts of date or not a date that her mind was hung up on. She was glad that she wasn't somehow misunderstanding the situation because she was terrible at picking up social cues. She was also glad because she liked Qays a lot and she wanted it to be more than just hanging out with him. Dez smails and said she'd like that. Smiling mischievously Qays told her he'll text her the details but he'll be coming to see her soon and he had high expectations.
