"Yep. I just need to grab something and we're good." She snatched her house keys and wallet off the dark brown bedside table that matched the desk in the corner.
𝓟𝓻𝓲𝓿𝓪𝓽𝓮 𝓡𝓟 𝓦𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓙𝓪𝓬𝓴𝓼!
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Sterling stood up and walked over to her, kissed her cheek, and grabbed his wallet to stick it in his pocket. “Let’s go, then!”
"Yay!" She cheered before heading out, locking the door behind her.
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Sterling chuckled as he followed her out. “Which way is it?”
"Down to the left. You'll see the sign." She headed into the bright sunlight.
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“All right,” Sterling hummed as he put his arm around her waist.
The chime of the bell attached to the door made the cashier look up. "Hi! Welcome to The Bean, I'm Nikki, what can I get for you?" "Hey Nikki, I'll take a medium French vanilla coffee, black, two sugars and a plain bagel with butter." "Okay! And for you?"
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Sterling glanced over the menu, humming in thought. “I think I’ll take a black coffee and a cinnamon bagel with cream cheese.”
"Got it! Can I have a name for the order?" "Cass." "Okay, take a seat, I'll have your order out in a couple minutes!"
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“I hope you’re going to let me pay for this,” Sterling said as they walked over to a two-seated table.
"Why should I? You're the guest!" She shrugged as she slid into her seat.
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“Yes, but I’m you’re boyfriend. It’s what boyfriends do,” Sterling said with a shrug as he sat across from her.
"It'll only cost like 5 bucks. Stuff here is pretty cheap."
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“Yeah, well, I still want to pay for it,” Sterling declared stubbornly.
"Cass?" Nikki called. "I got it." She waltzed up to the counter to claim her breakfast. "That'll be $5.27." "Sounds about right." She chuckled, paying. "Have a great day!" "You too!" She took her change and the tray of food and drinks and took it back to the table.
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Sterling sighed and gave her a look. “Okay, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll let you pay for that if I can pay for dinner tonight.”
"Okay, okay, fine. Just let me eat my bagel in peace." She chuckled, taking a bite.
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“No promises,” Sterling chuckled as he started in on his own food and coffee.
She swallowed roughly. "Ow, my throat still hurts. You'd think it'd fade overnight. Guess you did a number on it." She chuckled.
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Sterling glanced up at her, unable to keep the grin from his face. “Hm… I bet I could do better, too…”
"Is that a challenge?" She glared at him playfully. "Bring it."
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Sterling smirked at her. “Tonight, then. Or… Maybe when we get back… Depends on what we have to do first.”
"I don't have any plans today. We can head back once we're done." She took another bite of her bagel.
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“Sounds good,” Sterling hummed, already anticipating the event as he sipped his coffee.
She finished her bagel, sipping on her coffee and staring out the window.
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“Whatchu thinkin’ about, sweetheart?” Sterling wondered gently as he finished his own bagel.
She wasn't listening, just lost in thought. She chewed on her lower lip, thinking.
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Sterling reached under the table and gently set a hand on her knee. “Cassie, babe…”
Still nothing. She knew something wanted her attention in the real world but she was choosing to ignore it.
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Sterling’s hand slid up to her mid-thigh, and he traced circles on her. “Cassandra, come back to the real world, sweetheart.”