"He told me he was sorry."

Misty held the phone close to her ear with her shoulder as she painted her toenails on her bed.

Aw, that's sweet. The hardworking Ash has a heart, after all!

"He apologized billion times. He said his cousin was always like that." Misty smiled. Her cheeks were slightly pink. She's picked a glittery bronze for her pedicure, this time. "And guess what he said then?"

I'd never guess, Misty!

"He said he wants to buy me a cup of coffee as an apology."

Misty let the phone fall on the bed after she heard May's squeal.

MISTY! HE LITERALLY ASKED YOU ON A DATE!

"I know." Misty felt her heart race again. "He was all shivering. He looked so stressed and he even sweated."

It's probably his first time in years! Awwww, Misty! He's so cute!

"What are you talking about? I don't care if Ash is cute or not! I just want to be promoted."

Oh! Right, right.

Misty grabbed the nail polish drying spray and sprayed her toes. "I told him he didn't have to, but he insisted. He said that he was sorry everything went wrong the other day and he wants to make up for it."

This fake story is so cute!

Misty cleared her throat. "Uhm." The redhead massaged her now-dry pedicure with her hands. "In the end, I said yes to his offer, even though it was the worst way to ask me out. No wonder he's single at his age!"

Shhhhh! When is it for?

Misty looked down at her feet. "We're going out this evening."

So soon!

"I want to get promoted and fast, you know?" She felt her face heat up.

And what are you going to wear? Hum?

"I don't care. I'd wear anything. It doesn't matter."

Ash will find you pretty no matter what you wear!

"Oh, whatever. I don't care about him and I don't care about what he thinks." She could hear May giggle on the other side of the phone.

I'll let you get ready, then!

"Don't be silly. It's all fake."

Bye bye!

Misty sighed after her friend hung up. She watched all the dresses and shoes on the end of her bed and on the floor, and she couldn't help but feel excited. She hasn't felt this excited about meeting a guy in a long time and she went often on dates...

"What is this I'm doing?"

Ash stared blankly at the coffee machines. He sat at the counter, waiting. He looked down and straightened down his button-up shirt. He panicked when he noticed a button was undone and a bit of his skin was showing. He quickly buttoned it.

"Hi."

Ash turned around. He sat down straight. "Hi Misty."

Misty put her purse on the counter and took a seat beside Ash. "I hope I'm not late."

"I waited for an hour."

Misty smiled to herself. Ash was horrible at this.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine. It's okay." Ash cracked a smile. "I ordered already." He grabbed his mug of latte that no longer had the whipped cream.

Misty spoke to the waiter behind the counter. "Cappuccino without cream."

"Right away."

Misty turned toward Ash. "It's a cozy place. Do you come here often?"

"Yeah." Ash picked up his mug.

"I think you come alone because you don't seem to like my company right now."

"No! No! That's not it!" Ash spoke up quickly. His smile was weak. "It's just feels a little... awkward."

"It is." Misty brushed her hair behind her ear. "It's weird."

"And I bet I'm making things weirder—I..." Ash was very anxious. He looked at Misty. "It's not what you think it is."

"Hum?" Misty blinked.

"I'm not..." Ash sighed. "I asked you and you said yes—like, you agreed, right?"

"Yes, I did."

"I'm not forcing you—I don't want you to feel obli-"

"Ash, it's fine!" Misty spoke sweetly. "We're two colleagues having a cup of coffee together. What's wrong with that?"

The waiter placed the cappuccino in front of the redhead. The latter thanked him and he walked away from the two.

"Nothing." Ash didn't look at her.

"Is your cousin still in Goldenrod?" Misty asked after she took a sip of her drink.

"No. She's back to Celadon." Ash looked down at his mug. "She lives there."

"Is she married? She was wearing an alliance."

"She is. She has a son too."

"Right..." Misty crossed her legs. She was wearing a fluffy light flowery dress that was right before her knees. Her glittery bronze pedicure showed through her high heel sandals. "I was in Celadon University for an exchange program. It lasted three months. It was very helpful."

Ash took a sip of his latte.

"Misty?"

Misty turned around. She was about to hop in her car.

"I just wanted to say..." Ash has followed her outside. "I don't want it to be this way."

"What way?"

"I can't!" He chuckled. "I don't want to talk with you about Sarah's life or university programs!"

Misty closed the door of her car. She looked at Ash. "I don't understand. Did I say something upsetting?"

"No, you didn't." Ash frowned slightly. "It's just that, when I asked you—I didn't think it'd turn out like this..."

Misty chuckled. "I can't understand if you don't explain, Ash. You're talking in riddles!"

"I don't want to be your colleague!" Ash snapped finally. His hands shivered. "I mean I don't want to be a friend you're having coffee with!"

Misty remained silent. Her breathing started hardening fast.

"I thought you'd get it when I ask you..." Ash looked down. "But it's fine, really. It's awkward anyway."

"We work very close, Ash. We're always working together." Misty began. She felt her hands sweat.

"I know." Ash looked her in the eye. "And I still want to see you again..."

"..."

"... for, uh..." Ash licked his lips. "... a date."

"You just asked me out on a date, Ash."

"I just feel..." Ash looked at a loss of words. "I feel like I need to tell you this and I want it to be this way."

Misty looked down at her feet.

"I want to see you and talk to you about..." Ash pointed at her. "You."

Misty looked up.

"Not about my stupid cousin, her kid or about any universities."

Misty smiled.

"All of that, if it's okay with you." He nodded. "I wouldn't want you to feel weird because of it. You can refuse if you want and you wouldn't have to worry about it. I would never mix personal life with work." He looked at her cautiously. "It all depends on you."

Misty took a deep breath. "I guess we can try."

Ash blinked.

"I'd give you this chance." Misty smiled broadly at Ash. "It's a chance of a lifetime, so don't waste it."

"I'm not wasting it, trust me!" He laughed. He looked happy. Misty has never seen him as happy before.

"We'll talk later about the date, okay?" Misty opened her car door.

"Uhm, before you go!" Ash peeked at her after she got inside the car. "I know you said you're in a rush but... I just wanted to tell you that you look pretty today."

Misty kept looking at the steering wheel. She turned toward Ash, the smile never leaving her face. "That's nice, Ash. Thank you."

Ash smiled and pulled away from the car. He sighed heavily after the car was out of sight and he slapped his forehead.

"Why did I say that? Ugh!" He walked back to the coffee shop, his hands on his cheeks. "Why did I call her pretty? It's too early!"