lauren drove up to the cafe. she looked around, but then she realized she didn't even know what kind of car carlos drove so she'd have no idea if he was there or not. she decided to take her chances and go in. she immediately saw him in line. she got beside him. "good morning," he said. "you too," she said smiling. "so, what do you want?" he asked when they stepped up to the cashier. "i can get my own. i don't want you to pay," lauren said. truthfully, she just didn't want this to seem like a date. "no, i'd feel bad. what do you want?" carlos persisted. "okay, if you insist. i'll have a sausage biscuit and toast," she said. the woman hit several buttons and then looked back up. "i'll have the same," carlos told her. "your order will be over there. you can get a drink while you're waiting," she said pulling out two cups. "thank you," carlos said, taking them. "you don't have to pay for mine. we can split it," lauren said. "take your cup and be quiet," he said handing it to her. she rolled her eyes, "fine. i'm just saying." they both got their drinks and sat them down. "do you need any help getting everything?" she asked before carlos went up to wait. "no, it's fine," he said. he came back about a minute later with all the food on one tray. he divided it amongst them and took a sip of his drink. "so, how was your night with brandon?" he asked. "fun," she told him taking her plate off the tray. "that's good. my night was quite.. what's the word? boring. it was just me and the tv," he said. lauren laughed, "it could have been you and any girl you wanted." "not true," carlos said. "yes, true. carlos, there are plenty of girls who would literally kill to be with you. you're great," she said. "well, thanks for stroking my ego, but i don't think you're right." lauren rolled her eyes, "believe what you want. i wasn't lying when i said you were a catch." she bit into the biscuit. "i'm sure you weren't, but you don't even really know me," carlos said. lauren was stung by the statement despite its truth. "i want to get to know you," she said swallowing the coke she'd just drank. "we can work that out," carlos said smiling. "good, because you really pique my curiosity," she told him.