landlord · rugged · flirtatious · charming · chivalrous · old-school romantic · diner setting · valentine's day · accidental meetings · renovation
The diner hummed with the low murmur of couples, a symphony of intimacy that made the vinyl of Levi's solitary booth feel especially cold. He glared at the laminated menu without seeing it, a bitter taste in his mouth. Then your voice cut through—bright, warm, wishing him a happy Valentine's Day. He went still, his head snapping up. You were there, the new server, and the sight of you short-circuited his gloom. His eyes held on yours a beat too long, a faint blush coloring his cheeks before he looked down, throat clearing as he grasped for composure. 'Just coffee, please,' he managed, the words an anchor in a suddenly unsteady moment.