As Clara trudged home, she couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. The mysterious guy actually had a real name.

"Alex…" She whispered. She rolled it over her tongue as if tasting the name.

She unlocked the door to her apartment and rushed up the stairs. Clara couldn't wait to get under her covers and replay this strange day in her head. Once inside, she decided that she was going to go into work early again tomorrow just in case he accidentally came into her shop again.

When Clara woke up the next morning, she sighed at the time her alarm clock showed her. It was far too early for anyone to be functioning. Then, yesterday's events came rushing back to her. She sprang out of bed and got ready for work. She dashed out of her little apartment and was at work the fastest she had ever been before. She didn't know why, but she was so excited to see him again. When she arrived, her boss was already there. 'He never comes in this early, except when someone is getting fired.'

"Hello, Clara." He was smiling at her, but something about it was off-putting.

"Good morning, Mr. Blake! What brings you in so early?" She was trying to move towards the counter but he kept blocking her.

"Well, I was thinking since you've worked here for so long, and you've been such a good employee, you and I should go to dinner tonight."

"Oh, wow! Thank you for the offer but I'm afraid I can't go to dinner with you." She was trying to think of something that she could tell him to reject his advances, but not get fired at the same time.

"You can't? That's a shame! Why can't you this time?" He had asked her out in this way several times before and every time she had to come up with something new to get herself out of a date with Mr. Blake. Then, she came up with something brilliant that he had to believe.

"You know that man I was talking to yesterday? The one I was sharing music with? Well, he's my boyfriend and I wouldn't want him to get the wrong idea. I'm really sorry." She held her breath in anticipation that he would buy her newest lie.

"Oh, well." He gave her a look of suspicion. "If that's the case, I guess I won't be going to dinner with you any time soon. And I was really looking forward to it this time." He swerved around her to go to his office in the back. Just then, Alex came through the door and Clara quickly ran to him.

"Hey, I just told my boss you were my boyfriend so he would stop asking me out." She said it hurriedly so Mr. Blake wouldn't hear. He raised his eyebrows and looked down at her.

"You mean that guy who yelled at you yesterday when we were listening to music?" He took a step closer to her. "Wow, sorry that guy was harassing you! It would be my pleasure to be your fake boyfriend."

"Awesome!" She breathed "Thank you so much, so if he talks to you just talk about me. Bring me up any moment possible. Then he'll be really convinced." Clara and Alex walked together to the counter. She caught Mr. Blake watching them from the back. "Would you like your usual, sweetie?"

"Yes please, darling" He winked at her. Clara blushed and made his coffee while he went back to the corner he had occupied for over 12 hours the day previous. This time she left the counter and took the coffee and scone to him.

"Your coffee." She sat down next to him and in a low whisper she said, "Sorry if this is really abrupt and strange but he's been asking me for a really long time and I had to come up with a really good excuse this time." She felt embarrassed and avoided his gaze.

"It's fine!" He laughed quietly. "I totally understand. I mean, I've never been in your situation but I'll play along no problem. I took a few improv classes in college." He puffed up his chest in an attempt to look important but Clara just laughed at him. He smiled, and when he did his eyes crinkled.

"CLARA!" Mr. Blake's shrill yell sounded through the store. "I don't care who that man is! GET BACK TO WORK!"

"Yes, sir!" Clara yelled back. As she walked away, she heard Alex's voice, but she couldn't make out what he was saying. "What?"

"So when did we set that date for? 9:00 tonight?" His eyes burned into hers. 'What? Is this part of the whole fake boyfriend thing?' Clara was so confused. Alex finished his coffee and walked to her. He looked down at her as he said; "See you at closing time, Clara."