Maria nodded, feeling supremely awkward and partly wishing a hole would open up in the floor directly below her feet and swallow her whole. But another part of her was so happy to see him - his perfect hair, his eyes, hearing his voice - and wanted to sigh and hug him tight and invite him over when his shift is done. But she was also pretty confident he hated her. And she wouldn't blame him.
When he returned with her food she said, "Um," and then stopped, licking her lips, wringing her fingers, still having not taken the food from him. "I," she tried again but nothing - it was like her voice got stuck in her throat. She fidgeted from foot to foot, trying hard not to look him in the face.