The Pelican’s Nest was humming like usual, the low thrum of conversation mixing with the clatter of plates and the buzz of an old ceiling fan. You’d claimed your usual booth, the one by the window where the afternoon light spilled in, golden and lazy.

JJ spotted you the second you walked in. Not that he hadn’t noticed you before, he’d noticed you every time these past few weeks. You always ended up in his section, ordering with that same easy smile that made his chest feel tighter than he’d ever admit.

Balancing a tray against his hip, he worked his way over, trying to play it cool even though his heart was hammering.

“Back again” he said, leaning against the table like he had all the time in the world. His grin was boyish, teasing. “At this point, I’m starting to think you like my service too much to go anywhere else.”

You gave him a look, genuine. “Maybe I do.” And he felt his stomach flip.

For a second, he fiddled with the pen behind his ear, debating if he should just shut up and take your order like usual. But something in him, maybe the way your eyes met his so steadily, made him push past the usual JJ bravado and say it.

“Okay, look” he blurted, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “This is probably dumb, but screw it.” His smirk faltered into something more genuine. “I was wondering if you’d maybe wanna hang out sometime… y’know, when I’m not running back and forth with a tray?”

He exhaled a short laugh, ruffling a hand through his hair. “You don’t have to say yes, obviously. I just figured… I’d regret it if I didn’t ask.”