She hadn't heard him walk up behind her. She idly fiddled with her phone, spinning it in slow circles on the counter. She stopped for a moment and considered checking her phone for new emails but thought better of it and spun it around once more. The teenager behind the counter startled her by asking him what she could get for him. It was then that she glanced behind her and saw him for the first time. He smiled as she excused herself. Feeling foolish for having stood in his way, she silently lectured herself. He placed his order charmingly and the annoyed teenaged girl went from pissy to adoring in a matter of seconds.
She was growing impatient, not wishing to stand around waiting with him. He looked over and made a flutter of eye contact, just enough to have her chest tighten up a bit which surprised her. She decided to check her email after all so she had something to do with her hands since they suddenly felt very obvious.
He looked over at her again but this time she was immersed in her phone and didn't look back. Since she didn't notice, he allowed a few moments to look at her. She brushed the hair from her eyes, her forehead was crinkled in thought and she was absently chewing on her lower lip. He had a sudden urge to grab her and take over that task. Blinking, he took a step away from her and purposefully looked the other direction. The restaurant had only a few other customers; a couple seated by a window sharing a banana split and a mother who was reading as her two young children climbed the playscape.
He turned back to her but she had gone. He spun on his heel but saw no sign of her. Raising up on his toes, he surveyed as much of the parking lot as he could see from where he was but didn't see her.
Sir?
Snapping back, he smiled at the cashier.
Your order's ready. Have a nice day.