i know that you know that i know...

From my seat across the street I see him again. They are busy this morning. He works the counter as frustrated customers wander in with their dogs, all demanding the same A-list treatment that our economy no longer affords. I count 8 customers in 15 minutes. Their phone rings incessantly. I can hear it across the street. Several dogs sniff each other playfully while others crouch for more territory. The boyfriend walks out of the cafe, past me, balancing the two tall cups of coffee. "Shit" he mutters when he sees the crowd in his store. Crossing the street he puts the coffee down on the counter and starts maneuvering customers towards the back. Ian looks up at me several times, his smile genuine but tired. I simply stare back.

The crowd soon dissipates. The lunch hour calls people to the cafes and bars along the street. When my coffee gets cold I walk across the street and into the store. Ian comes from around one of the small aisles of dog food. He looks at me and smiles. He says nothing but the movement in his pants communicates plenty.

"I'll be dog sitting in a few days. What kind of food do you recommend?" I makes sure to stare at him intensely. In the back I notice b/f moving boxes around.

"Uh, ok, great, Uh....uh--" hard swallow "--what kind of dog is it?" He makes a movement with his eyes. He wants me to see the b/f in the back.

I nod casually. "English bulldog."

"Awwwwwwwwwww how cute!" He walks back around the counter and starts writing some things down on the notepad next to him. As he does b/f comes to the front. Seeing me his stare gets harder. He comes close to me. His smile is practiced but strained.

"What can we help you with?" I think he's trying to let his voice be more masculine than it normally is.

"Thank you but I'm already being serviced."

He snorts. "Good. My partner and I always try to give great service."

I smile and nod. "I'm sure he's the best."

He quickly sizes me up but says nothing. "I can finish this up, Cory."

Cory (formerly known as Ian) shakes his head. "I'm almost done. He waited patiently while we were busy."

"Didn't I see you across the street?" b/f asks.

"Yes, you did."

"Oh. You go there a lot?"

"When I can. I like the view."

"What view?"

"The shops, the patrons, the dogs. Very urban."

"Yep yep." He sticks out his hand. "I'm Joe."

"X." He shakes it too strongly. Overcompensating. He's not that masculine but for this one brief moment wishes he was.

Cory smiles throughout the exchange. His lower body is hidden behind the counter. He reaches down and readjusts himself when Joe isn't looking. He finishes scribbling the list on the small white pad. He tears it off and folds it half. He hands it to me and smiles. "These are the brands I recommend for the bulldog. We carry all of them. I'm sure if you come back again you'll find what you're looking for."

I chuckle. "Yeah sometimes the damn dog just wants a bone." I look directly at Joe. "It was a pleasure meeting both of you. Thanks for your time." Joe forces a smile and walks around the counter. He makes a show of standing close to Cory. Cory looks at me and smolders. If he could he would probably leap over the counter. I cross back across the street and sit back down at my table. Fortunately no one has taken it. With my sunglasses on I am able to read the list and look back into the store. In very neat legible writing:

**Brand name dog food**

**Brand name dog food**

**Brand name dog food**

**Brand name dog food**

**Brand name dog food**

My name is Cory. You are HOT!

**phone number**

I'll be by myself tomorrow morning.

I love taking cock.

I look back over at the store. Through the open front door I see Joe looking right at me. I make a point of smiling at him.