It was another normal, but very hot Los Angeles day. Andre walked into his local coffee shop to escape the heat for a little while. The AC had gone out in his apartment complex two days ago and the window unit he had bought just wasn't cutting it. He needed a reprieve.
As soon as the cold air hit Andre's face, he breathed out a sigh of relief. Walking up to the counter, he greeted the barista. They had a vague rapport from his visits to the shop.
"Hey, could I get a cold brew?" Andre asked. The barista smiled and typed it into the POS. Andre paid and dropped a few dollars into the tip jar.
Andre sat down a few minutes later with his drink at an empty table in a corner and pulled out his phone. As he scrolled through social media, he didn't notice the cafe filling and emptying. As he took his last sip of his drink, Andre stood up and brought his empty glass to the counter and set it down. He walked toward the door and noticed a man sitting alone and nodded at him. The man watched Andre, but did not nod back. A small smile played on his lips as he watched Andre walk back out into the heat.
-------------------
A few days later, Andre's air had finally been fixed. No more sweating all night! In the mood for a latte, Andre walked back to the coffee shop and ordered a drink to go, with a muffin. While he waited for his order, he glanced around the shop and saw the man from the other day sitting against a window. Andre watched him for a minute, a little confused. He didn't seem like the LA "type"...but stranger things and all. Maybe he had just moved here. As Andre was pondering, the man looked up and caught Andre's stare. The same smile played on the man's lips, as if he knew something Andre didn't. A moment later, the man got up and left, turning the corner and disappearing into the crowd. Andre grabbed his order and headed out toward the park. It was a nice day and he could use some fresh air.
The park was pretty full, since the heat had calmed down some. Andre tore off a piece of his muffin and ate it. He closed his eyes briefly and groaned softly. It was so good, and still just the littlest bit warm. Andre smiled to himself and opened his eyes again. As he did, he jumped eleven feet in the air as the man from the coffee shop was seated next to him.
"Hello," the man said with a smile.
Andre stared at him in shock, and a little concern.
"My name is Dom."
Andre wasn't sure what to say. His mouth refused to form words and his brain had gone on strike.
"Uh. Um. I-. Hi..." Andre mumbled.
The man chuckled lightly, the sound smooth and deep. The sound sent a thrill through Andre.
"I've been watching you. You're a very attractive man. Tell me about yourself."
'Is this a dating show or something???,' Andre thought to himself. "Uh...what do you want to know?"
Dom tilted his head curiously. "Well, you can start with your name, even though we both know I know who you are, Andre."
Andre's heart skipped a beat. "Well, um...what else do you know?"
Dom watched Andre as if he were a toy he was playing with. As if Andre was his prey. "I know you're a Gemini. I know your favorite drink is a cold brew with Irish cream and a splash of oat milk. And I know that you began transitioning seven years ago, but you don't want anyone to know that."
Andre's heart was pounding and his legs had turned to jelly. Who the fuck was this man...? He got up to leave and head toward home, or the police department...Andre wasn't sure which yet. Dom watched him turn to go and waited til he got a few feet away before he stood up and followed him. Dom's hands slid into his pockets. A few minutes later, Andre was walking up the stairs to his apartment. When he reached the door, a card was sticking out between the door and the jamb. Andre grabbed it and read over it.
"DOM LA'TOLSTA
12472 Tenth St."
Andre turned it over and, on the back, the owner had handwritten: "Meet me at 11pm at the address on this card if you'd like me to change your life."
Andre's heart did a few flips. He pulled out his phone to Google the name on the card. To nobody's surprise, nothing showed up. Entering his apartment, Andre thought about the interaction at the park. He had no idea how this man could know anything about him but at the same time, he was intrigued and curious...and maybe a little turned on. The man was very handsome, after all. Almost too handsome, actually...
10pm rolled around and Andre tapped his foot anxiously. He decided to go check the address out, at least. He didn't have to go inside...he could just go, look, and leave. No harm in that...right?