Page 5 of To Cuddle A Gremlin

“Hey, Ren.” Sebastian bobbed his head. Ren returned the greeting with a big smile. He was quick at completing orders.

“Good morning. Are you getting coffee for everyone?” Ren tapped a few buttons before looking at Sebastian.

“Just Sammi, Jake, and me this morning.” Sebastian appreciated having his coffee order memorized. Staff remembering what he liked gave him a warm feeling of acceptance and positivity.

“Great. Tony’ll make them for you.” Ren’s nose twitched before sneezing. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to do that.”

“No worries. Is Tony in a good mood this morning?” Sebastian braced himself for their mercurial boss. Tony intimidated Sebastian with his gruff mannerisms. He never smiled, and every time he prepared Sebastian’s collection of drinks, he did so as though he was doing Sebastian a favour. Straightening his shoulders, Sebastian shuffled down to the coffee bar where the older version of Isadore growled.

“I’ll be with you in a sec,” Tony grumbled, his gaze flicking up once while steaming the milk. “You’re the guy my brother likes.”

Sebastian swallowed wrong and began coughing at Tony’s admittance. Why would Tony tell him that? No way would Isadore like him. It couldn’t be true, could it? He tried to deny what Tony said, but the steel green eyes dared him otherwise. Both Tony and Isadore struck him mute in different ways.

“Whatever. I don’t get it, but he becomes so friggin’ dopey, which annoys me.” Tony passed him one of the hot beverages before starting the next drink. “I guess if I turn my head at a certain angle, I can see what he does. You are cute in a delicate fawn sort of fashion.”

Sebastian nodded and shook his head, baffled by the turn of conversation and happy at the same time. Was Tony trying to bullshit him? Isadore liking him wasn’t real. It had to be wishful thinking. Being polite was the best option. If Tony was lying, then Sebastian hadn’t shown his hand, just in case. But what if it was true? God, he’d have to figure out how to act like someone who knew what they were doing. “Thank you? I think?”

Tony passed him the last two drinks before flicking his fingers at Sebastian. “Take your drinks and go.”

Sebastian hurried to the library with his tray of coffee. His cheeks were glowing with cold and possibly incandescent joy. He had to assume Tony hadn’t been lying. He was too much of an honest person to lead Sebastian on. The grin refused to disappear from his face as he slid into the staff room where Sammi scrolled through her phone.

“Someone is in a happy mood this morning,” Sammi murmured as Sebastian deposited the tray on the work room desk. He flattened his mouth, embarrassed at being caught smiling. Sammi tilted her head to the side as she studied Sebastian. “Was he at the café already?”

“What? No! I didn’t see him. Just Ren and Tony. Who said… Tony said Isadore likes me,” Sebastian’s cheeks grew hot. Sharing what Tony told him had Sebastian doubting the likelihood. Especially when Sammi’s eyes widened. “Why would he say that? It can’t be true. Is he trying to make me not go back? Tony terrifies me.”

“Oh, Sebby. Relax. This is a good thing. You want Tony’s approval.” Sammi patted Sebastian’s cheek. “Lucky you, having Tony realize how special you are.”

Rolling his eyes, Sebastian tried to ignore the fluttering butterflies in his stomach to be the mature man he was. “Tony’ll probably do something to my coffee.”

“Oh, he will not. Next time you pop by the café, smile at him. That’s it. Nothing else,” Sammi instructed.

To get Sammi off his back, Sebastian agreed. “Fine. I will. I promise I will smile at Tony and greet him.”

“Ooh, what’s going on? Are you talking about the yummy man at the café? He is such a sweet boy. His coffees are divine, and his grumpy expression makes us all swoon.” Mrs. Gordon placed her collection of thrillers on the desk while jumping into the conversation.

“Yes, ma’am. How are you today?” Sebastian scanned each item while chatting. Mrs. Gordon was a patron with a penchant for murderous stories and nonfiction.

“I love listening to you and Samantha. I feel so young with you.”

“You’re so sweet. You want to live my life for me?” Sebastian joked, relaxing into his librarian persona. The people on the other side of the desk were comfortable, and he didn’t have to stress about what to say. The same chatter dominated every conversation.

“Young man, if I had my chance to relive my younger years, I’d jump on that in a heartbeat. However, this is something youneed to do for yourself. Allow yourself to be chased by Isadore. Don’t dillydally until he’s given up,” Mrs. Gordon advised. “Regrets don’t keep you warm at night.”

“See, even Mrs. Gordon thinks you need to get some balls and talk to the man. We’re gonna start a pool here to see how long it takes for you to initiate the conversation.”

“Thank you for your vote of confidence,” Sebastian muttered. His friends were right. He had to find his ability to approach Isadore without stammering. It wasn’t fair he made Isadore do all the heavy lifting.

When lunchtime rolled around, Sebastian grabbed his bag out of the fridge and sat at the crowded table. The peace and quiet was almost too much after the busy morning. He was glad he had decided to bring food rather than braving the café.

“Really, Sebby? You’re brown bagging again?” Sammi growled. She was dressed to go outside with her scarf loosely wound around her neck. “If he’s at the café when I get there, you’re coming down to see him too.”

Swallowing his bite of casserole, Sebastian shook his head. “Sammi, I had a rough morning. I made a delicious meal for myself. I just want to enjoy some quiet. Please?”

Sammi scowled before stomping off. Sebastian ate another forkful before staring out the window. Social batteries could run low at work as well. He still had a long afternoon to get through.

“Sebastian, I heard Samantha trying to convince you to go after the young man at the café. Are you sure this is the direction you’d take?” Jacob, the branch manager, placed his dish in the microwave and pressed a button. Jacob was an older man with thinning, pale hair and kind eyes. He was the nicest person to work for and always willing to listen.

“She’s—you know. She’s Sammi. Very—” Sebastian waved his fork around as he attempted to find a diplomatic way to describe her. “It’s easier if you let her talk.”

---