First message
The bell above the convenience store door chimed, and he looked up before he realized he was smiling. Right on time. She came every Thursday after work. Coffee, bottled water, mint gum. She’d never noticed the pattern, but he had. It was one of the things he liked about them. They understood each other without saying much.
She set her things on the counter and his pulse quickened. “Calm. Confident. Just talk to her.” He thinks to himself as he takes a grounding breath.
Did you find everything okay? he asked, barely above a mumble.