A Lesson to Learn

Chapter 8

Rey and BB discussed some more wedding details and dreams as they finished opening up the shop, completing some last minute chores before they turned the sign on the door over to signify they were officially open. When they finally switched the wooden sign over, Rey checked her phone before any customers waltzed in.

<Kylo>: Are you already at work?

<Rey>: I am! Why?

<Kylo>: I don't know if I can wait until lunch to see you... so I might head over for my coffee a little early if that's okay and maybe just work there until lunch

<Rey>: More than okay! See you soon.

"Who are you texting with that goofy ass smile, Miss Dameron?" BB whispered behind her, startling Rey in the process.

Rey spun around and shot a playful glare at her co-worker. "A new friend. What's it to ya, Mr. Bagdley?"

BB shrugged with a smile. "I just haven't seen you look like that at your phone before.. That is definitely the look of a woman who is texting somebody she fancies. I don't think I've ever seen you date honestly."

"That's because I don't really date. Rose set me up with an online dating profile thing and I matched with this guy. Also who uses the word fancies anymore?" Rey scoffed. "But yes... he is somebody I fancy."

"Good. You deserve someone who makes you happy, Rey." BB said with a soft look on his face.

Rey rolled her eyes at him in a joking manner. "Oh my god. Everyone treats me like I'm some doomed-to-be-spinster. I swear I was at least semi-happy being single and figuring out my life and First Order out. But now that things are more settled I am going to enjoy the dating scene again. And this guy is at the very least a great start."

"Maybe even a great end?" BB chirped.

"Too fast, Mr. Badgley." Rey retorted.

BB shrugged again with a smug grin. "Honestly, you never know. Amilyn and I didn't date that long before I knew I was head over heels, way out of my league, and a hundred percent needed to lock that woman down as soon as was somewhat appropriate to ask time wise. I probably knew a handful of dates in, I think. And even then - we just got engaged in the last month and have been dating since April. That's only six months. Kind of fast when some people date years before getting engaged. When you know you know, though."

"Yeah, I guess." Rey said wistfully. "He's really great. I'm excited to see him today. It'll be his first time having First Order coffee and then we are going to lunch later."

"Well, if you aren't enough of a sell then the coffee and pastries should do it!" BB laughed, skipping out of Rey's way as she turned to swat him good-naturedly with the towel she was cleaning with.

***

It was around 8:30 a.m. when Kylo Ren made an appearance at First Order. Rey had been checking the door every time that it chimed opened, and couldn't help but ogle as his massive frame sauntered in. He was wearing a maroon wool sweater, dark jeans and boots. His hair looked like he had run his hand through it several times, but the ends near his neck were still curled up in hard-to-tame waves. When he looked over at the counter he found Rey staring and gave her a toothy smile, dimples and all. Kylo crossed over to her in two big steps and chuckled, "Like something you see, Rey?"

"No." Rey answered quickly before back-tracking, "I mean, yes. Obviously yes, Kylo. You look great. Red is definitely a fitting color for you."

He beamed at her and stretched his arms out to make a sweeping gesture over her body, "Thank you, Rey. But, I gotta say, you put everyone here to shame, even with your work apron on."