Ernie quickly looked away when Terry began licking at the whipped cream on top of his hot chocolate and ended up looking directly at the girl who had served them. She was blushing slightly and she grinned and gave him a thumbs up when she realised he was looking at her. He blushed and gave her a look of exasperated amusement before turning back to Terry.
He swallowed hard at Terry's question and the only thing that stopped him from tensing was the knowledge that Terry wouldn't push, wouldn't ask for more from him than he was ready to give.
He put his hot chocolate down and hitched himself around on the couch so he was facing Terry. "You," he said seriously. "Not now... soon... when I'm sure I'm not going to freak out again like I did earlier."