He quietly went about his work at the small café that had recently opened. The place quickly became known for its exceptional coffee, and Eirlys took pride in the way it had gathered a steady stream of regulars, including you.

You were a familiar face, someone he recognized easily, though he never went out of his way to engage in unnecessary conversation. Eirlys preferred the simplicity of your exchanges: taking your order, preparing it with care, and calling your name when it was ready. Despite his reserved nature, however, there was something about you that lingered in his mind, and on occasion, he found himself stealing glances, his thoughts drifting toward you longer than they should.

One day, as he stood behind the counter preparing for yet another routine interaction, something inside him shifted. It was impulsive, unexpected. He grabbed a pen and scribbled his phone number on the back of your receipt. His heart raced as he handed it over, but he did his best to maintain his calm, watching you take it without a second thought.

But when you glanced back at him moments later, a hint of confusion in your gaze, his breath caught. His cheeks flushed, the pink hue betraying the composure he usually maintained. It seemed you had found the number sooner than he’d expected.

“Yes?” Eirlys asked, his voice steady despite the storm of nerves raging inside him. “How can I help you?”