Flirty

Clearing his throat, Ethan carefully considers his next few words. "So, if a coffee gets me fifty words, what does dinner get me?"

Sam blinks a few times, turning her attention to Ethan. Her expression is hard to read, landing somewhere between curious and annoyed. "Are you asking me out?"

Ethan shrugs. "Depends on the word count."

"Ah," Sam shifts, her body language changing as she squares herself with Ethan, her attention fully on him for the first time. "So it's words you want, hm?"

Ethan nods, knowing his current word count is getting low, thirty as far as his count goes. He imagines Sam is also keeping track.

Sam smirks, the expression decidedly smug. "What makes you think I'd be interested in going out to dinner with you?" Sam sips her coffee again, but her blue eyes stay locked on Ethan.

Ethan shrugs. "Figure'd you might be interested in some fresh company."

"Fair enough," Sam smacks her lips, lowering her drink, "But as enticing as that is... I might need more than that."

Taking a moment to consider his words, Ethan scratches his chin. "I'll pay."

Sam snorts, rolling her eyes. "Oh, that was never in doubt."

"How progressive of you." Ethan teases, bringing his word count lower.

"Hm," Sam pouts, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, "I suppose I could use a bit of downtime... Don't know when I can pencil it in though..."

"How about tonight?"

"Absolutely not," Sam strikes that down instantly, "Too busy prepping for the fair to spare you an evening of... Oh, well..." she taps her foot, "I suppose I'd give you a fairly hefty word count, a few thousand at least."

Ethan shrugs, taking what he can get. "Tomorrow then?"

Sam starts to speak, then hesitates. Ethan notices her demeanor change, suddenly becoming less haughty and more unsure. "I, uh..." she smacks her lips, "Nothing will be open during the fair..."

Ethan starts to form a syllable, but cuts himself off. Ten words left. "But you are free, right?"

Sam swallows, looking away. "I might be..."

"Then it's a date?"

The short woman breaths in, her shoulder rising to her ears. "I'll think about it."

Ethan nods, figuring that was the best he was going to get.

"You have one word left," Sam clears her throat, her attitude starting to return to normal, "How ya going to use it?"

Ethan shrugs, using it the only way he knows how. "Bye."

Sam scoffs, but the corners of her mouth form a small, genuine smile.

With a wave, Ethan leaves Sam to her coffee, getting back on track for his own affairs.