Mina raised their eyebrows at the suggestion. “The beach? But I don’t even have my swimsuit…” As soon as they said it, though, they realized it wasn’t really an issue. The idea of just taking off their shoes and burying his feet in the smooth sand was definitely tempting. There was plenty to do without getting in the water - at least, that’s what Mina hoped Rubell meant. As attractive as he was, they really had no plans of doing anything “unseemly”, as their granddad always complained Mina’s generation was wont to do.
It hit Mina, then, that Rubell was basically asking them on a date, though they weren’t sure it was his intention. Their eyes widened a fraction at the thought anyway, and they weren’t really surprised to realize they didn’t mind it. What was more surprising to them was that Rubell seemed so excited to go out of his way to take them out. Mina had only gone on two or three dates their whole life - not counting the brief second grade romance they could barely remember - and they hadn’t been all that great. One had ended with things being awkward between them and their lab partner, while the others went south the moment the guys realized Mina wasn’t a girl.
Honestly, they deserved a nice afternoon to themself and a cute boy, even if it didn’t go anywhere. Nodding, they said, “Y’know what? That’s a great idea. Just let me get my stuff, first.” Before Mina turned around, though, they looked at Rubell with a small grin. “And I’m buying the ice cream. No arguing!”
“Hey I’m never complaining if people want to buy me things” Rubell said, “You know, our whole beach getaway wouldn’t even be happening if you didn’t technically buy me through servicing you coffee over time so I’m used to the setup” He joked.
It was a nice sentiment though and the boy appreciated that they had even offered in the first place. Rubell had kind of wanted to pay for the two of them but this was nice too and, in a way, gave it a more date-like feel which had him questioning whether this was a date he’d just asked Mina to. Not that he wouldn’t have because he definitely did think they were cuter than what you’d think a friend was but it was just that, embarrassingly, he’d built up a sort of scenario in his head when he’d finally take out the time to ask Mina out and now there was this spontaneous little trip.
Breathe, he chastised himself mentally, a small flush touching his cheeks as he excused himself to change out of his barista outfit and into his casual pairing of faded jeans and a shirt with a simple blue sweater pulled over it that his sister had made for him once before quickly heading out of the staff door to meet Mina at her table.
“So, ready to grab some ice cream? I’m a strawberry kinda guy- you can put it on anything and it’s instantly a million times better”