The offer did more that surprise Hazel. Her eyes widened and she nearly stumbled. Quickly looking behind her and around the area, she saw no one nearby. Speechless, she pointed at herself, doubt telling her that the offer wasn’t for someone as awkward as herself.
"Yeah, it's definitely directed to you," Kalei answered, laughing softly as she watched Hazel motion to herself in doubt. She clutched one of the mythological novels to her chest, fiddling with a crystal necklace as she waited for an answer. What if she doesn't say yes? She probably doesn't want to go out with someone like you…she deserves better.
“A-are you sure? I mean I love coffee but I’m such a klutz and awkward, I mean I’m surprised I’m saying proper words without stuttering for crying out loud!” Hazel burst out. She instantly covered her mouth afterwards, thinking that long ramble probably just ruined any chance she had. Kalei probably would have managed a pity ‘yes’ had she not blurted out.
"No, no, I'd love to have coffee with you. You're already so nice and cute…" Kalei answered quickly, not realizing that she had said that last comment. She had never been the flirty type, but sometimes words just left her mouth before she could think them through. She glanced down and played with the bracelet around her wrist, hoping that she wasn't making Hazel too nervous.
Hazel’s mind was in so much of a panic, that she almost missed the end of Kalei’s response. Almost. Her cheeks wouldn’t stop heating as she blushed at the compliment.
“O-okay. Um when would you want to meet up then…?”
"If you swing by here tomorrow afternoon, I could go with you after my shift here is done?" Kalei proposed, leaning a bit against the bookshelf as she held her stack of novels close to her chest, brushing a few strands of her dark hair away from her face.
Hazel nodded dumbly, agreeing with the idea. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she gave a goodbye to check out her book.
As she stood in line in front of the counter, she couldn’t believe what had just happened.
Kalei waved back, smiling softly to herself as she slipped the remaining books into their section, walking towards a filled cart to grab a few more novels. She glanced up from a few titles to see Hazel checking out a book, but quickly looked down, almost giddy when she felt her cheeks flush.