Cliff wandered over to Annika at the counter.
"Okay," he said. "Number four is fixed."
"Quick as always," Annika smiled.
"It's a gift."
Annika grinned.
"Rin?" Cliff called.
"Coming, coming," Corinne said. "Hey, see you tomorrow, Annika."
"See you," Annika smiled.
"Okay then," Cliff said, taking Corinne's hand. "Let's go."
They started towards the door, then Cliff frowned and looked back at Binar.
"Coming Binar?"
"In a moment," Binar replied.
"Okay."
"Want something?" Annika asked curiously as Cliff and Corinne departed.
"Yes, I did," Binar replied.
Silence.
"And?"
Binar paused, then took a deep breath.
"I would like to know if you would go out on a date with me."
Annika blinked in surprise.
"You... want to date... me?"
"Yes," Binar replied, inwardly annoyed at the build up of nerves inside himself. They served no purpose and the sooner they went away the better.
"Oh, well, I... sure," Annika replied. "Umm, when?"
"Saturday week. May I pick you up at six for dinner?"
"Sure. Oh... wait maybe I should pick you up. That way I can drop Brett off for Corinne to look after, if she doesn't mind babysitting."
"Okay then. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Binar paused.
"See you later then."
"Okay, bye," Annika smiled.
She watched Binar leave and shook her head. Binar was so black and white sometimes that it was hard to picture him as being capable of having emotions. And yet for him to actually ask her - ask anyone - out on a date. Annika smiled to herself. maybe it was her imagination, but could he have been just the tiniest bit nervous?
Now there was food for thought.