Ben followed Daphne and Liam to the door, hugging Liam good-bye and promising that the present was the best ever. Then he went to his little chair and pulled out a few books and settled in to read, like he'd done many afternoons before over the past couple of months. Terry was glad Ben was easily occupied with books now, because he really wanted some time with Ernie ebfore another customer came into the shop.
"I'm not sure they need the candy to be on a sugar-high," he said. He bit his lip and looked up at Ernie from through his lashes. "It's okay, I understand. I shouldn't have done that. Not at work, with someone we barely know." He looked around. "We're alone now though..." He trailed off, content to let Ernie make the first move. That way it would be whatever Ernie was comfortable with.