Ellie was working, blinking against the spitting of fat
Chris had considered not stopping by the cafe that morning but the thought hadn't lasted long. He wasn't sure how he would be received though. He pushed the door open, spotting a few early regulars (he assumed they were as they had been there each time he had) and moved over to settle at an empty table.
"Bacon sandwich and coffee right?" Ellie called over
The corner of his lips twitched. "Please." s "I'll bring it over."
"Thanks." Chris settled in the chair and pulled his planner from his bag.
Ellie came over and dropped his order off at the table
"Thanks." Chris looked up. "Hi. I'm sorry."
"Doesn't matter," Ellie shrugged
"I'm still sorry. Maybe we could try that tour again some time?"
"Maybe not next week."
"Oh. When then?"
"Tomorrow, I need to check with Art."
"Oh right, OK." He wanted to ask 'check what' but decided against it.
"After stuff"
Chris picked up his coffee. "Sorry, what?"
"I'm working, tomorrow after stuff."
"Oh, I see. Alright," he nodded, sipping his coffee.
"Art and me...best friends"
"OK..."
"Nothing else"
"I didn't mean to... If I implied... It's not really any of my business."
"No species mix there."
Chris frowned. "I'm sorry, what?"
"He's a panther, wouldn't work."
"I... Really don't know what to say to that," Chris said, his frown deepening.
"What are you?"
Chris swallowed and ducked his head. "I erm... I'm not sure I... I should get to work. I'll ah, see you later, Ellie."
"Maybe."
Chris shouldered his bag and looked at her. "OK," he murmured before moving to the door.
"If you can't trust me, I can't trust you and that...not any more."
Chris ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe I just need to get to know you a bit better first."
"I've told you I'm none human, you've hung out where I worked and slept in my home, and oh...I used to sell sex, need more?"
Chris' shoulders hunched slightly and his jaw flexed. "I didn't mean... Give me a break, OK? I've been here a little over two weeks. I don't understand the things you're saying."
"I can switch to gaelic"
"What?"
"If it's easier to understand."
"That's not what I meant."
Ellie turned away from him.
Chris' shoulders sagged. He took a step as if to go back to her but gave a shake of his head. "Bye, Ellie," he murmured before leaving.
Ellie let him go and settled down to work
Chris walked slowly to work, turning Ellie's words over in his mind. Everything was so confusing.