"I'm sorry, s'cuse me very much, but have we perhaps met before?"

Raphael turned with the idea of commending the guy for the cheesy pick up line, but, buddy, it's 9am and he was having his breakfast, until he was faced with large blue eyes behind round-rimmed glasses, framed by black curls. Raphael couldn't help the feeling they had met.

A former client of his? He doubted it.

"I'm sorry, who are you?"

"Oh, Mor-- shoot!" He had caught a glance at the clock and nearly spilled his order.

"You okay?"

"I'll be late. Listen, this may all be a case of double-mistaken identity, but I'd like to exchange some memories, figure out where we've met," as he spoke, ‘Mor’ was scribbling something on the back of his receipt. "Here's my phone number. And social media. If you want to."

Before Raphael could say anything, ‘Mor’ was gone.

He stared at the number and felt strangely lightheaded. Looking back over the bar, he noticed Lyril looking sullen.

"Exchange memories," he muttered. "That’s some pick up line."

"Jealous?" Raphael laughed as he looked the guy up. "Huh, he's some... painter apparently?"

Radames emerged from the breakroom. "Did you manage to meet Morrigan? I told him to find you."

“The painter who came through? You know him?”

“Yeah, I hired him!”

Lyril let out a screeching sound. “You did what??”

“He came to design our new cups, Lyril! I told you I had a meeting with him today!”

"I didn’t think-- I didn’t think-- it was him--” Raphael looked up to see Lyril violently shoving beans into a coffee machine as he stammered.

He grinned. "What's it to you anyway?"

Radames just looked alarmed. "Wait, what’s the problem?”

“He gave Raphael his social media. After like, half a second. Who does that?”

"Well, next time he's here, he's getting yesterday's coffee!" declared Radames.

"Who's getting my free one day old coffee?" asked Veronica, prancing in with a spring in her step.

"Raphael's new boyfriend," Lyril grumbled, switching on the bean grinder on maximum, and then lowering to medium after a yelp of surprise.

"You know you're the only thorn in my side I need," said Raphael melodically and blew him a kiss. He stuffed the rest of the pancake into his mouth. "I'm off to class."

As Lyril was struggling with those last words, the bell jingled again.

“Good morning.”

“Ah, Daelan, right on time, as usual!”

“Good to hear it, boss.”

Lyril let the familiar sounds of the morning drown out his thoughts.