Sarah had started work at the Paper Lantern about a month ago. Warren had been sure she would not survive her first week. It was not that he had anything against the girl; it was just that he could not help but think that every plate she broke after the first would be the last. Warren gave her credit for her determination in sticking to the job. Although he was inclined to believe that, for her, it helped to be incapable of understanding a word that was shouted by the owner. Warren could have provided a translation, but she seemed content to remain unaware.
Warren glanced over to an inconspicuous table where Sarah was taking her break. She had accepted a double shift to help cover for a staff member who had not shown up and only now had there been a chance for her to take a break and have something to eat. Warren could not help but grin as he paused to watch her struggle with her chopsticks. Inevitably she was still clumsy.
Sarah looked up and caught his gaze, when she spoke she tried to suppress a smile.
"I'm glad you find this amusing!"
His smile broadened and he headed out back, returning quickly to Sarah with a knife and fork. "You need to eat something before your break is over," he said. She rolled her eyes at him and accepted the cutlery, which were kept for occasional customers who requested them.
Warren was still smiling as he returned to his duties. There was not much opportunity for talk beyond what was required for both of them to do their job, but they shared a comfortable silence and worked well together. When there was a chance, he liked the casual banter they were able share. He also had to admit that he enjoyed not having the pressure of 'living down his father's reputation.'
Warren liked the way she was: amusing, genuine, a little accident-prone and so completely unaware of anything super. Anyway, if it was super hero treatment he was after, he got it whenever his quick reflexes foiled one of her slip-ups. Not that Warren was into egocentric stuff.
She did not make assumptions about him or who he was, she did not push when he did not volunteer answers, and surprisingly often he found himself telling her more than he had intended.
Warren was much more relaxed at work and Sarah knew a side of him that few people other than Will and Layla had ever seen. Even so, she could not truly know him without knowing his secret.
Sarah was a welcome part of Warren's 'normal' life and he wanted it to stay that way. He did not want her to see him as something other than a normal guy. He did not want to elaborate on "my dad is not around anymore".
Yes, Warren liked her, and he knew she liked him too. He had decided that maybe he would not do anything about it. Maybe.