Interrogation

"Ok, what is going on?" Becca asked after AJ had rushed them into The Brewberry.

"I need a coffee for this." Shiv rushed behind the counter, "Lyla get the lights and power." She nodded as Lyla headed over to the corner to switch on their lights and electricity, "Anyone else want one?"

"Yes, all of us." Lyla said, "It's literally 6.30 in the morning." She shook her head.

"AJ?" Becca waited as AJ looked at them all, Shiv rushing to grab cups to put under the coffee machine, Lyla pretending like she was shocked, Becca with her arms folded and waiting. It was a little overwhelming. She hadn't had this kind of attention in regard to a man in her life for a very long time.

"What's the big deal?" AJ shrugged.

"So, you're sleeping with him?" Shiv turned her head.

"I… I have slept with him, yes." AJ said, "Why is this such a big drama?"

"Because you… well, you never have a guy in your life." Becca said.

"Thanks, Becca. Way to make me sound like a loser." AJ nodded, although she knew it was true.

"I'm just saying… I've worked here for a few years and never once have you spoke about being with any guy. I know you've gone on dates but… this is kinda scandalous. It's just… not like you." Becca said.

"Why is this scandalous?" AJ shook her head, "Because I'm normally so boring and tragic when it comes to my love life?"

"No… No, you're putting words in my mouth." Becca made clear, "And let's not forget… he's the enemy."

"He's not the enemy." AJ rolled her eyes.

"Is this who you kept texting when you were sleeping over at mine?" Shiv realised, "Oh my God, it totally was."

"This is not a big deal. And honestly? It doesn't really concern you guys." AJ said.

"But we're friends." Shiv frowned sadly, "We talk about everything."

"Ok, well I don't need you guys freaking out over this." AJ said, "It's embarrassing."

"But I thought you disliked him, and he disliked you." Becca said, "I know you said you were trying to be more friendly but like… I didn't think you meant that kinda friendly."

"Also, isn't he forty or something?" Shiv asked.

"He's thirty-seven." AJ shook her head, "And I've been getting to know him a little better. We've been spending some time alone together and it's… it's been good." AJ said.

"Why aren't you saying anything right now?" Becca turned to Lyla suspiciously who was staying quiet.

"Because I don't AJ needs to be interrogated because she slept with someone." Lyla said.

"Are you and him like… dating?" Shiv asked, passing the coffee's she'd made for them around.

"I don't know. We haven't really talked about it." AJ said, "We've just been getting to know each other and hanging out. It's all happened kinda naturally."

"So, he's not a total jerk?" Becca asked, "I thought he was."

"No, he's not a total jerk." AJ said.

"Was it good?" Lyla asked curiously. She of course knew better than Becca and Shiv that it meant a great deal for AJ to trust a man enough to sleep with them. She wasn't expecting her friend to have made that move so quickly, but she had full confidence that it was what she wanted.

"What?" AJ said.

"The sex? Was it good?" Lyla asked as AJ watched them all stare at her intently.

"You guys are ridiculous." AJ groaned, "Yes. Yes, the sex was great. Honestly? He gets me off as good as my vibrator." She nodded as Lyla chuckled.

"Oh my God." Becca chuckled, "You really like him?"

"I do." AJ nodded, "I really do."

"So do we have to be nice to him?" Shiv asked, "Cause I still kinda hate him for setting up shop right across from us." She shrugged.

"You can feel however you wanna feel about him." AJ assured her, "I just… I don't want this to be a big thing, ok? We're just taking it slow and figuring things out. I need you guys to be… chill about it."

"We're totally chill." Becca shook her head, "How big is his dick?" She asked as Shiv choked on her coffee.

"I truly think you need mentally assessed." Lyla nodded to Becca.

"What? Like you're all not wondering the same thing." Becca scoffed.

"And he made you late to work. You've never been late before." Shiv said.

"What happened to being chill?" AJ put her hands in the air.

"Sorry, it's just… surprising." Shiv said, they'd always known AJ to be so career driven and focused without much time for boyfriends or any kind of male relations. "Do you think you'll start dating?"

"Maybe. I don't know. Like I said, we're taking it slow." AJ said.

"Well, I think it's a good thing." Lyla inserted, "You seem happy and if that's down to him then… he's a good guy in my books." She nodded.

"I think I am happy with him." AJ nodded, "The happiest I've ever been, actually." She said, looking at Lyla with a more certain nod, a look only exchanged between them.

"Then that's all that matters." Lyla said, "Have you two got everything out of your system before we get this place ready to open?" She asked Becca and Shiv who stayed quiet.

"Who made the first move?" Shiv asked excitedly as AJ rolled her eyes and groaned.

"This is going to be the longest day of my life." AJ realised, making her way behind the counter.

"That worked a little better today." Punk said after the busy morning rush where they'd finally seemed to get into the groove of preparing the breakfast sandwiches.

"It did." Daryl agreed, cleaning the coffee machine out whilst he had a second to do so before another customer came in.

"You and Finn seemed a little better." Punk noticed, "That's probably why things ran a little smoother."

"Probably." Daryl nodded.

"I know you're not happy with me for hiring him." Punk said as Daryl turned to him, "But he was the best applicant out of everyone. He can work whatever days and hours, he lives two minutes away so he's not gonna bail on us… and he's been doing pretty good."

"I'm not mad at you for hiring him. I'm mad you locked me in a fridge with him like a child." Daryl nodded.

"Ok, granted, that might not have been the best idea." Punk nodded, "But you guys need to learn to communicate with each other. This place won't run right if we can't talk to each other. You know that." He said.

"I know but he's like…" Daryl paused, shaking his head and stopping himself from saying anything.

"He's what?" Punk asked, "Dating the girl you still love?" Punk nodded.

"I didn't say that." Daryl said.

"You don't need to, buddy." Punk said, "You ever think about maybe talking to Shiv? It might make you feel a little better. Sounds like you guys left a lot unsaid."

"That would just make it worse." Daryl shook his head.

"You don't know that unless you try." Punk said.

"There's my handsome boys!" Linda yelled as she walked into the coffee shop, hobbling along to the counter with her walking stick as Punk smiled.

"My favourite lady." Punk smiled, "The usual?" He asked. Normally Linda arrived every morning after the morning rush to order a black coffee and pastry, which she'd enjoy by the table at the window whilst reading her paper. She'd almost become an accessory to the place at this point.

"Yes, the usual." Linda nodded.

"The Summer Fair is coming up next month, right?" Punk asked her.

"Seven weeks, actually." Linda corrected.

"How do you feel about providing us with some of that glorious baking of yours?" He asked her.

"Maybe. I'll see what I can manage." Linda nodded, "You have big plans for it?"

"We're gonna do our breakfast sandwiches." Punk said.

"I'll sit your coffee and pastry at your table, Miss Linda." Daryl told her affectionately, taking Linda's things and heading over to her usual table to sit them down.

"I see you've added another hard worker to your crew." Linda nodded to Finn who'd just appeared from the kitchen, carrying more pastries he'd just brought out the oven.

"Yeah, this is Finn. He started a few days ago." Punk said, "Finn, this is Linda, a very special customer."

"Hi." Finn nodded to her politely.

"What's the deal with you hiring the youngsters?" Linda asked Punk as Finn just chuckled a little and headed back into the kitchen.

"Just trying to help out the town's lost causes." Punk nodded.

"I heard that." Daryl came back behind the counter, "Do you wanna know something juicy, Linda?" He grinned, looking at Punk with a mischievous grin.

"Don't." Punk said quietly.

"My boss here has only gone and got himself a girlfriend." Daryl patted Punk on the shoulder.

"You're cheating on me?" Linda gasped.

"And you'll never guess who." Daryl nodded as Punk folded his arms unhappily.

"Well go on. Tell me. I can't stand here for much longer." Linda scoffed.

"AJ. You know… from The Brewberry Café across the road." Daryl nodded.

"She's not my girlfriend." Punk added. He hated all of this talk, especially when AJ wasn't present, and he couldn't confer with her about what he was supposed to tell people. Were they dating? Did she think they were dating? Were they just fooling around? He figured it was something they should probably discuss, although he almost liked that they hadn't put a label on anything yet. They were just getting to know one another. He just wished it was still their secret and cursed the fact they had slept in this morning.

"She's a beautiful girl." Linda nodded, "My coffee will be getting cold." She said, wandering away over to her table as Punk turned to Daryl unhappily.

"Don't pull that shit with anyone else." Punk said as Daryl chuckled a little, "Hey, I'm serious right now. I know this town likes to spread shit around but keep my personal business out of your mouth. It's not just me you're talking about."

"Dude, chill." Daryl rolled his eyes.

"No. I'm being serious right now. Don't pull that shit again." Punk said sternly as Daryl's smile faded, realising Punk was being extremely serious, which wasn't something he saw often.

"Alright, fine. Jesus." Daryl shook his head.

"Go help Finn with the pastries." Punk told him. He liked Daryl, maybe he was even beginning to love his company and his odd sense of humour, but he didn't want the kid to confuse their personal and professional relationship.

He picked up his phone which was sitting face-down beside the cash register, turning it around and noticing AJ had messaged him. It appeared her work colleagues weren't going any easier on her than Daryl had been on him.

A/N: Sorry for the shorter chapter here! Just went back to work after having some time off so I've not had much time to write, so apologies if the updates aren't as regular as they have been. I promise I will get around to busting out chapters for you! Thanks as always for the support and reviews!