*p-ting* came the muffled sound from Alex's back pocket, interrupting his focus. *p-ting* *p-ting* *p-ting*

        “Ugh, what?" He pulled out his phone to see what was so urgent. He had only enough time to see Wynne's name before she outright called him.

        “Wh-" he began to answer as he picked up, but was cut off.

        “Allie!" Wynne said excitedly.

        “Jesus Christ, woman! What?" He replied in mock outrage.

        “I found this new place up north near the river. Well, not like, brand new, it's been around a while, but I just found out about it. Anyway! I hear it's got great wings and knew you'd want to check it out. Are you free for a late lunch?"

        “Uh…" Alex blanked, trying to process everything.

        “It's my treat! I'll swing by and pick you up after work. See you then!" Wynne said, then hung up. Alex could only let out a confused “Eh?"

        “What just happened!?" He said to himself, throwing his hands up and dropping his phone. He waited a moment as though there might come an answer, but just shrugged and let his arms fall. “Whatever. Free wings? Sign me the fuck up." He checked the messages Wynne had sent, but they were essentially the same story. Alex wrapped up his work and shut down his office. It was a bit early, but that'd give him enough time to squeeze in a shower and some primping.

        “Hey," he said, poking his head into Lorrie's office as he knocked, “Wynne wants to check out some new place, uh..."

        “Yeah, she texted me too." Lorrie said, taking advantage of Alex's pause, though not looking up from her work. “I can't go, but you two have fun. Lemme know how it goes, yeah?"

        “Will do. I'm gonna hop in the shower, you good?" He asked.

        “Yeah, take your time, babe." Lorrie said, making a quick kiss in his direction. Alex returned the gesture, kissing his fingers with a “mwah!" and ducking out to head upstairs.

        Sometime later, Wynne and Alex were approaching the new place, bundled up for the rainy weather. It was unassuming; part of a larger brick building at the corner of the block, and with minimal signage reading “H?mu". Stepping inside, they took a moment to absorb the atmosphere. To one side was a bar, a few pool tables and the kitchen. Despite this, it still had the air of a family-friendly establishment. To the other were sturdy, free-standing tables and chairs, stained dark with green pleather cushions and…

        “Omigod they have a Hibachi!" Wynne's face lit up. “Ohhh, we should sit there!"

        “Ehh…" Alex hesitated, looking at how crowded it was. “I dunno, I don't really feel up to that."

        “Aww." Wynne's excitement deflated a bit. “Are you sure?" She asked.

        “It's just…" He started, pausing to find the right phrasing. “It feels too 'public', if… that makes sense? I don't wanna be 'on display'. Can we just sit at a table?" He asked politely.

        “Sure thing Blue, I get you." Wynne reassured him, putting her arm around his shoulders in a sort of pseudo-hug.

        Alex glanced at the station as they walked past and unfortunately caught sight of the cook working there. A grey-and-white wolf of average height and scrawny build, his dark hair poking out from under his hat. A small goatee decorated his chin. He was focused on his work, but at the same time seemed relaxed, almost content. A quick burst of flame lit up his green eyes. Alex let slip the smallest, softest “oh".

        “What?" Wynne asked.

        “Hmm?" Alex responded quickly, turning his head in her direction, almost startled, it seemed. “Nothing. Let's sit by the window." He deflected, pointing at a table. They made their way to it, hanging their coats and bags on the chairs and settling in.

        “This is nice!" Wynne said in an excited, but hushed tone.

        “Yeah…" Alex agreed, stealing a glance back at the hibachi, “…nice."

        With a polite wave and a big smile, Wynne caught the attention of a waitress over by the bar. The woman waved back similarly in acknowledgment, communicating that she'd with them in a moment. Wynne gave a subdued double-thumbs-up to round out the exchange. After a few moments the waitress came by their table with a pair of menus. She was a young woman, a feline of average height and build, dirty blond hair pulled up in a bun.

        “Good evening, my name's Mandy and I'll be your server." She began reciting her lines as she handed a menu to each of them, “What can I get you ladies to drink? We have Coke products, bottled beer and mixed drinks."

        “Root beer?" Wynne said hopefully.

        “Sure! Glass or bottle?" Mandy asked.

        “Oo! Bottle please!" Wynne said excitedly.

        “Alrighty." Mandy confirmed, writing it down. They both turned to Alex, catching him mid-peek.

        “Allie?" Wynne said.

        “Hm? What?" He looked back at her expectantly.

        “Drink?" She prompted him.

        “Oh! Uh, Rum and Coke. Please." He said shyly, looking up to Mandy.

        “Great! I'll have those out ASAP." Mandy said, writing it down then walking off.

        “She was pleasant." Wynne remarked, as the two of them began browsing.

        “Yeah. Hope she's not working too hard at it though." Alex said. “Customer service and all that."

        “Fair." Wynne said. “So how was your day? Work going well?" She put her elbows on the table, resting her chin on her interlocked fingers and leaving the menu open before her.

        “I've been exhausted all day, but it was quiet and productive. Until a shouty lady called and I had to clock out early, at least." Alex replied sarcastically with a smirk. He didn't look up from his perusal.

        “Fuckin' rude!" Wynne exclaimed, dropping her hands to the table. “I hope you told her off." Her expression hoped for affirmation.

        “Weeell, you know how I am when people get pushy." Alex said.

        “Fuck that lady." Wynne stated firmly, going back to her menu.

        “After she's done buying me lunch, I'd be glad to." Alex looked at her without moving his head, waiting for it to sink in. He couldn't help a grin as he watched Wynne look up, features scrunched in bewilderment. Her mouth fell open, looking at him incredulously as understanding dawned on her.

        “Jerk!" She accused, taking a napkin from the dispenser, crumpling it up and throwing it at him, grinning all the while. Alex simply laughed, using his menu as a shield. Wynne straightened up as she saw Mandy approach with their drinks.

        “Rum 'n' Coke, and root beer." She said as she set each drink down. “Are we ready to order, do you need some more time?"

        “I think we are, yeah?" Wynne answered, looking to Alex who nodded. “I'll have the turkey club, and the large waffle fries appetizer."

        “I'll have the boneless honey BBQ wings, with spicy marinara." Alex said. They both folded up their menus and handed them off to Mandy, who'd already written their orders down.

        “Great! It's a bit slow at the moment, so the wait shouldn't be too long." Mandy said.

        “Thank you!" Alex said as Mandy turned and left.

        It was indeed a short wait, and they dug in right away. Alex found several more opportunities to steal a glance through the ever-dwindling crowd at the hibachi, disguising the tilt of his head as innocently having a bite of food, or a sip of his drink.

        This eventually backfired, as he lingered just a moment too long on one occasion and the cook looked in his direction, nearly locking eyes. Alex stiffened up, dropping his gaze to his plate instantly, eyes wide and his mouth full soda. The sudden movement caused him to swallow wrong. He sat still, hoping, praying he hadn't been caught and, oh no, was there sauce all over his mouth? His face was hot and his chest tightened with the urge to cough. Despite his effort to fight it, once a few small ones had escaped there was no stopping a full blown fit, though he still tried.

        “Omigod are you okay!?" Wynne exclaimed.

        Alex nodded, grimacing as he waved his hand dismissively. He continued to cough for nearly a minute solid, leaving Wynne to look on in concern. It eventually passed, but left him sore and short of breath, his eyes tearing up as one or two droplets rolled down his face. He wiped them away with a napkin, groaning in discomfort. Alex dropped his head to the table, covering himself with his arms.

        “Ugh, why couldn't that have killed me." He said in a muffled, raspy voice.

        “What?" Wynne asked.

        “Nothing." Came his still muffled reply. He inhaled deeply as he raised his head again. “Never mind." His voice was still rough.

        “Sure you're alright? We can leave if you need to." Wynne offered with genuine concern.

        “I… really don't feel like moving right now." He replied softly, making himself as small as he could without drawing attention. “Act cazh*." Wynne nodded in full understanding.

        Alex made a conscious effort not to look back again for the rest of the meal, even resting his elbow on the table so that he could cradle his head facing away. He had a couple more drinks as they talked, and the back of his scalp tingled with a slight numbness.

        With enough time and alcohol, he began to consider maybe braving another peek or two. He didn't get to decide, however, as Mandy came over. She set down a pair of napkins, using them as coasters for the drinks she placed in front of each of them. She also left a faux leather check holder on the table.

        “Your bill, ladies. And these are on the house." She said with a smile. “Enjoy!"

        “Oh, thank you!" Wynne said, opening her bottle gleefully.

        Alex gave her a confused look, then took a sip of his own. The napkin stuck to the bottom as he lifted it, dropping a folded bit of paper that had been tucked inside. “What…" He left the thought hanging, opening the paper. Inside it read “Stray (Cook)", followed by a phone number and a note: 'I'm off tomorrow'. Without thinking, he looked. The hibachi was completely vacant. Alex felt his face get hot again.

        “Whatcha got there?" Wynne asked, putting her elbow on the table and her chin in her palm, a subtle, knowing smile on her face.

        “Uhh…" Alex hesitated, looking back down at the paper.

        “Honestly, Blue. You've been eye-fucking him since we got here." Wynne said through a grin. Alex looked at her, surprise and guilt on his face. Wynne stifled a laugh as he hid his face in his hands and groaned with embarrassment. “Can't always bring your A-game, sweetie." She added in an effort to support and console.

        “I know, you're right." Alex said, “It's not actually all that terrible." He looked at the note, thoughtfully adding, “I just wasn't expecting it." His tone then became more lighthearted, “Also I'm tired. And my feet hurt. Are we there yet?" He gave a little smile, which Wynne returned.

        “In any case, it's his serve, the way you like." Wynne said, “Ball's in your court, and I say take the swing. He's at least considerate." She gestured to her free drink. “And I doubt he'd be able to get help if he were just a creep."

        “They could be in cahoots." Alex countered sarcastically.

        “Omigod," Wynne's face lit up as she gasped, “They could be swingers." Her mouth hung open. “I'll totally be your second, in that case." She offered enthusiastically.

        “Down girl, don't get your panties in a twist." Alex said, raising a hand.

        “Bold of you to assume I'm wearing any." Wynne shot back, placing her hands on her hips as she feigned indignation. She smiled with satisfaction when Alex let his head drop in exasperation.

        “Anyway, she deserves a decent tip." Wynne changed the subject, chugging her drink. Pulling her wallet out of her purse, she retrieved a few bills to tuck under the empty bottle. “Let's get you home, you've had a day." They gathered their things and walked over to the register.

        As Wynne signed the receipt, Alex saw her scribble a little note: 'Clever girl <3 '. With that, they made their way home.

*****

        The next day after work, Alex nervously tapped his fingers on his desk, staring at his phone sitting just an arm's length away. Was this a good time to call? Maybe he should text him instead. Or would that be rude? Would it make him look disinterested?

        “Ah fuckit." He said, snatching up the phone and dialing with both hands. With the final digit put in, he moved the phone up to his ear. After a moment of silence it began to ring. Two, three, four times. Each successive ring made his heart race a little faster, reminding him why he hated calls. Five. Should have just texted, he thought. Six. The urge to hang up grew stronger. He could just try again later. Seven. The line clicked.

        “Hello?"

---

*Casual (This is a coded use, meaning “I'd like to pretend nothing happened while I process." Or something like that.)