Sluggin’

 

“It’s not embarrassing for you to ask me if I know you but it is to explain how you know me?” 

His fingers traced along the rim of his purple coffee mug as he smirked wickedly. The contents looked to be more milk than coffee. “There’s a woman I’ve been chatting with and her profile picture looks a lot like you, that’s all.”

Her head turned slightly as she turned over in her mind how that could possibly be embarrassing. She crossed her legs and studied him. “What, on a dating site? Or are you being intentionally coy to pull my interest.”

He laughed loudly and looked at his watch. It looked expensive and felt archaic in the world of smart technology. This was a fashion piece meant for time only. It almost clashed with his underlying surfer vibe but perhaps there was more than what was at the surface. “Not quite. I have a popular channel for adult entertainment…” He paused as her eyes grew large and she blushed. “She’s one of my newer, generous subscribers.” 

“Oh…”

He nodded in an internal decision. “I’m going to be late for an appointment, but it was a pleasure meeting you. I-” 

“Wait. I…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel…well, I don’t know how you’re feeling but I…” She frowned and blushed a deeper shade. He stood and smiled kindly at her. He opened his mouth to speak but she continued. “At least she has good taste right?” 

“Right.” He winked at her. “I’m not ashamed of what I do. Quite the opposite, really. It’s just not always received well so I usually don’t mention it to strangers. I really do have to go. Thanks for the company.” He turned away, missing the frown that was on her face and answered his phone. “Hey man, sorry,,.” He wove his way through the shop and walked out the front door expertly not seeming to spill a drop of his quite coffee. She was certain he just stole one of their mugs. Maybe he was a regular here. Maybe he lived close. She pulled out her laptop again and wondered if she’d be able to focus to do any work after her peculiar evening.