Luuk pondered her words. He hadn't expected her to offer more than he'd already gotten, but now that the offer was there, the young man found himself wondering just what Natalie wanted to say. She wanted to get to know him better first... but why? Was there some big secret she held, something that would make things fall into place? The more Luuk thought on it, the more his mind filled with impossible scenarios. It was best to not guess at things, he decided, but even if he logically knew that, his mind would always wander.
Natalie brushed off his offer to pay for their meal and offered the waiter a card. Luuk pouted, "There's a big difference between coffee and an entire meal." He turned down to his dish, trying to remember the numbers next to its name on the menu. A part of him, a large part of him, hated being paid for, as if this woman covering his tab somehow injured his fragile masculinity. After a moment though, Luuk realized how childish that was, and he shook his head. He'd cover next time, he decided. He'd make it up to her, all of this, and eventually, he'd find out whatever she was still hiding.
Luuk muttered a small thank you for the food. While he waited for the waiter to return with her card, he thought back to earlier in their conversation. "Soon I won't be a student anymore," he said. "I'm... working on getting a job, which in all honesty I should have already had set up by now. However. I'm sure to have more free time soon, and I'd think I'd like to maybe see some of your work, if you're willing to show it. Maybe you can even show me how you restore your furniture? Karen was always telling me I needed to pick up new hobbies, so who knows? Maybe I'll even dirty my hands with it too, you know?" He noticed the waiter returning and offered Natalie a smile. "Only if you're willing to share that with me, of course. It could be fun. But don't let me harass you while you're doing your thing. I get that too." He waited for the waiter to return her card and prompt her for a signature. "Would you like me to walk you to your car?" he suggested. "It's dark."
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