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The ding of the door opening caught Jimmy's attention as he pulled the fresh still steaming muffins out of the oven.
The clock had just ticked over to 6:05, the first customer of the day stepped through the door.
“Good morning!” Jimmy called from the kitchen, “I'll be right with you.”
“No rush. It smells amazing in here.” The voice didn't sound like one of his regulars.
Jimmy set the muffins on a wire rack and wiped his hands off on his apron before going to the front of house.
“Welcome to the Canary’s Coalmine. What can I get for… you?” He started his usual pitch, but he trailed off when he got a good look at the man.
There was no other way to say it- he was hot. Deep brown eyes and auburn hair. Jimmy forced his eyes not to wander from the stranger's face despite him wanting to. But even that didn't stop him from feeling heat start to press up his ears.
“Hey!” The stranger said, “I just moved to the area, this place looked really cute.”
“I'm flattered!” Jimmy said, his ears burning. “I picked it all out myself. I'm Jimmy, this is my shop!”
“Oh I didn't know I was talking to a celebrity! I'm Tango.” Jimmy didn't miss the way Tango’s eyes flicked down. “So,” Tango said, leaning forward slightly. “What do you recommend?”
Jimmy’s mouth went dry. “What do you like? Sweet, savory, coffee tea, hot chocolate?”
“I’ll take two baked goods and a drink, but I'm serious, give me whatever you want.”
Jimmy considered that for a moment, “Okay challenge accepted.” He moved back into the kitchen and began to take a still warm muffin out of the holder. “So what brought you here?” Jimmy called.
“My cousin recommended me for a job, and I was due for a change of scenery.”
Jimmy hummed, “And how do you like it?”
“It’s really cute!” Tango said, “The air feels so much nicer.”
“For here or to go?”
“For here.”
Jimmy brought out one of the warm blueberry muffins and set it on a plate before pouring hot water over a lemongrass hibiscus tea. While that steeped he took out a croissant and added it to Tango’s breakfast.
“I’d let that steep for a few more minutes,” Jimmy said as he rang Tango up. “That’ll be… ten dollars. And the butter and other condiments are to your left.”
Tango paid in cash and Jimmy noticed him slip another ten into the tip jar when he thought Jimmy wasn’t looking, although the fact the jar was entirely empty before he put something in gave it away slightly.
Tango sat down in a table against the wall and picked the seat facing out into the cafe. Jimmy stole glances at him throughout the day. About an hour in, Jimmy looked once, and looked twice and couldn’t help but stare as he watched Tango take a hot sauce bottle out of his bag, pour a mouthful of hot sauce on his muffin and take a bite.
Tango noticed him staring and grinned. “You didn’t have the condiment I wanted- but don't worry, I come prepared!”
Jimmy blinked slowly and Tango winked, "Don't knock it till you try it.”
—
Tango came everyday, for the rest of the week. He always came early, asked Jimmy to pick something for him, and stayed for several hours before leaving in the height of rush hour.
He didn’t come in on Saturday. It was raining, and it was quieter than normal because of that.
He wasn’t that surprised but he was slightly disappointed. He had gotten used to their morning rituals.
He was starting to sweep the floors in preparation for the 7:00 pm closing time when the ding alerted him to a last minute customer and he looked up to see Tango stumble through the door soaking wet.
“Tango?” Jimmy dropped the broom as Tango staggered, Jimmy grabbed Tango’s arm and held him up. “What’s wrong, are you hurt?”
Tango shook his head, “No I’m-” He stumbled again, and Jimmy grabbed a nearby chair.
“Sit, wait no, go slowly.” Jimmy said he swatted in front of the chair. “Talk to me. What’s wrong?”
“I didn’t mean to come so late.” Tango had started to shiver. “I didn’t know where else to go.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Jimmy took Tango’s hands and tried to conceal his flinch as he felt how frigid they were. “What happened?”
“Someone broke into my house.” Tango collapsed into his hands, hiding his face. “They took everything. I’ve been out the whole day looking for Hopper- my dog. I don't know if they took her or if she escaped and I’m losing my mind.”
“Oh Tango, I’m so sorry. I can help you look for her, but-” Jimmy glanced out the window. “-I think we better do it in the morning, we won’t find anything looking in the dark and rain. I’m not open on Sundays anyway.”
Tango nodded and Jimmy noticed how his teeth had started chattering.
“How long were you out there?” Jimmy asked.
“Since five in the morning.” Tango said.
Jimmy squeezed Tango’s hands, “I assume you haven’t eaten in that case?”
Tango shook his head, “I’ve been lightheaded since three. I think my blood sugar's low.”
Jimmy frowned. “Okay here’s what we’re going to do. I’m gonna get you a couple towels and a pastry. I’m going to make you some tea, I’m gonna finish closing up while you eat that and then you’re coming upstairs to my apartment and eating a proper meal, and we’ll look for Hopper in the morning”
“Okay.” Tango said eventually, "Okay… we can do that.”
Jimmy stood up, his hands lingering around Tango for a second longer than they should have. He closed up faster than normal, setting a new personal record. By 7:30 he was helping a still woozy Tango up the stairs to his apartment above his bakery.
He cooked something quick. Pasta with a basic sauce and he hated the way Tango picked at it, staring off into the distance. Jimmy just felt so helpless.
Jimmy’s bed was big enough for the both of them, and his lack of a couch made it really the only option.
“Thank you.” Tango murmured as he slipped into bed next to Jimmy. “I didn’t know what to do.”
I will always do this for you- is what Jimmy wanted in his heart to say.
Instead he said, “Don’t mention it.”