“Okay, fine.” I shrugged. “What’s your name?”
“M-Melissa.” She said awkwardly, clearly not sure what the hell to make of all of this. “Look, I don’t want any trouble, okay? I mean, thanks for wishing my loans away, but...”
“Hey, I’m chill.” I reassured her with a stupid giggle. “I won’t do anything to you if you don’t want me to.” I winked. “I mean, for now.”
“Okay.” She took a deep breath and sat down at my table with her rag, staring at my ring. “Okay, fine. Cool.”
“It’s nice to meet you Melissa.” I smiled warmly.
“It’s weird to meet you.” She scoffed. “What’s your handle?”
“I’m Joey.” I shrugged. “Just some asshole that drives a delivery van and got lucky today, I guess.”
“So...” she laughed. “I don’t have a goddamn reason to work here anymore. This is my second job to pay for school.”
“Then let’s get the fuck out of here.” I rose, laughing back.
The goth girl Melissa grabbed a long leather dusted off a nearby hook and threw it over her arms. She ripped off her apron, revealing a satanic metal band’s bloody cover art, and crossed her arms in front of me.
“After you...” She said sharply, waving her hand.
We left the coffee shop and wandered out into the busy street bustling with people going about their day. Melissa shot me a strange smirk and started walking beside me.
“Hey, Joey!” She said with a playful edge.
“That’s me.” I grinned.
“You, uh, well, can you really do anything with that ring?”
“Oh yeah.” I nodded, grinning back conspiratorially. “Why, you have something in mind?”