Insist

Getting his wallet out, Ethan insists, telling Alex she can pay next time.

Alex starts to protest, but when she hears the words 'next time', she smiles, liking the sound of that.

A few minutes later the pair are seated at one of the two tables, eating their sandwiches and drinking their cokes.

"This is really good!" Ethan manages to get out between chews.

"I know, right?" Alex nods, swallowing down a mouthful. "I try to eat here at least once a week. So, you said you were looking for somebody?" she takes another bite of her sandwich.

"Yeah. Sam, you know her?"

Alex stops chewing, her eyes twitching. "Uhm..." she swallows a few chews early, forcing out a light cough. "Why do you..."

Lost in his sandwich, Ethan doesn't fully register her reaction. "I heard she can help me find work."

"Oh!" Alex blinks a few times. "Yeah... Um, you're looking for a job?" she sips her coke casually.

"Kinda." Ethan tries not to talk with his mouth full, leaving most of his thoughts unsaid.

"Well," Alex sighs, scratching her collarbone. "I'm not sure how she's supposed to help with that..."

"Doesn't she work for the town?" Ethan frowns, trying to remember what he was told.

"I mean, yeah..." Alex purses her lips, "But are you just gonna walk up to her and say 'One job please'?"

Ethan pauses for a moment. "No..."

Rolling her eyes, Alex lets out a sigh. "Okay, wow. She's gonna eat you alive with an approach like that."

"What makes you say that?"

Alex gives Ethan a small frown. "You've... met Sam."

Ethan almost mistakes that for a question. "I mean, years ago..." Ethan shrugs, "We didn't talk much."

"Ah," Alex turns her attention towards the counter. "Hey, Earl!"

"Hm?" The older man, apparently named Earl, looks up and over towards Alex.

"Samantha Cole, thoughts?"

Without missing a beat, Earl answers. "Great tits, shitty attitude."

Alex nods "Thanks." She turns her attention back to Ethan. "I surprised you don't remember that."