â Coffee Crew Cool-Down
The morning workout was all hustleâreps, playlists, giggles, and a tiny bit of showing off. Now the sweat has dried, the leggings still hug just right, and Candieâs vintage Saucony sneakers are laced up like heâs ready for anything (even though heâs already done plenty).
Heâs flanked by her besties, strutting out of the gym like they own the sidewalk. Candieâs sipping his iced oat latte with vanilla cold foam, the kind that makes his nose crinkle and his heart grin.
Taylorâs rambling about last nightâs date (a total himbo, Candie silently decides)âŚ
ââŚand then he ordered a second salad for himselfâlike, who does that on a first date?â Taylor rolled her eyes dramatically, straw twirling in her half-empty iced matcha.
Candie nearly snorted into his latte. âWait, was it like, a protein bowl situation, or was he just really into kale?â
âHe said it helped him think clearly,â Taylor said with a shrug, then shot Candie a sly grin. âBut actually⌠his roommate is kinda cute. I could totally set up a double date if youâreââ
Candie choked softly, hand fluttering to his cheek with a flushed little laugh. âMe? Oh, no, I mean⌠I wouldnât even know what to wear!â His sneakers shifted nervously on the pavement, the little silver charm on his anklet catching the light.
âGirl, please,â chimed in Jess, âyou could wear those leggings and have him whipped before the appetizers.â
Candie ducked his head, hiding his smile in his coffee. He didnât say yes. But he didnât say no, either.
ââŚwait, is that a little smile I see there?â Taylor teased, leaning in with mock suspicion.
Gina didnât miss a beat. âOh, it is! Heâs actually considering it. Look at him, already planning the girly outfit in his head.â
Candie rolled his eyes but couldnât hide the grin spreading across his face. âStop it. Iâm not planning anything. I donât even know the guy.â
Taylor raised her brows. âSo? Thatâs the point of a blind date. And anyway, heâs super chill. Youâd vibe. Plus, you in your cute little sneakers and that flirty-awkward giggle you do? Girl, youâd have him wrapped around your pinky before the drinks even land.â
âPfft,â Candie laughed, sipping his latte to hide the blush rising in his cheeks. âYâall are too much. What if Iâm⌠I donât know, not what heâs expecting? What if heâŚyou knowâŚdoesnât like girly boys?â
Gina waved that off. âCandie, your tomboy charm is exactly the kind of âunexpectedâ that guys go crazy for. Itâs relaxed, itâs realâitâs kinda flirty without even trying. No guy in his right mind would turn you down.â
Taylor leaned in again, grin full of mischief. âSo should I text him? Just a casual double date. Coffee and a stroll. You in?â
Candie bit his glossed lip, eyes flicking between his besties, heart doing that little flutter thing. He gave a tiny shrug and a whisper-soft, âMaybeâŚâ
And that was all they needed.