[center][color=forestgreen][b][h3]Dwight Kelly[/h3][/b][/color][/center]
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With a thin smile, Dwight disengaged himself from the sports page and glanced up to appraise the delicate features of the brunette sitting across from him. Judging by the way his eyes roamed freely over her gentle curves, pausing ever so briefly on her midsection, he was thoroughly enjoying the view. Like so many other men who frequented her quaint establishment, it hadn’t taken Dwight very long to discover Ede Blanche’s charm. She was captivating in an odd sort of way, luring unsuspecting customers in with her eccentric attitude and lavish hospitality. While some folks in town viewed her curious behavior as disgraceful, others lauded her for her artistic ingenuity, both for her culinary expertise and her poetic prose. But beneath all of that, Dwight knew that she had something else to offer. Only a select few were invited to learn of her more...remarkable [i]talents[/i]. That revelation had sparked a daily routine that bordered on the obsessive.

Every weekday was the same – Dwight would arrive at the restaurant among the patrons of the breakfast rush to seek out the same corner booth, overlooking the same busy thoroughfare, with the same newspaper tucked under his arm, and ordered the same cup of black coffee to start his day. Occasionally, he would change it up and order a pastry, or some other specialty item featured on the menu that day, but overall, it was the same ritual – day in, day out – for weeks on end. All of it culminated in the fleeting chance that he would gain the opportunity to talk to the elusive proprietor as she made her rounds. Fortunately, on most days, she went out of her way to indulge him, and on this particular morning, it was no different. They had reached a mutual understanding in that regard, and as a result, had exchanged their fair share of intimate secrets along the way. At this point, it was safe to assume that Dwight had been accepted among the lucky few to partake in her favors. 

“Hi, Ede,” he returned coolly, leaning forward and folding his hands on top of his paper. He noted the use of his nickname, something that had developed in the sales sector, but had apparently seeped into other facets of his everyday life. Not that it mattered; he found that he liked it when [i]she[/i] used it. Maybe he even preferred it that way. That thought made his smile grow even wider.

“I see you’re keeping everyone on their toes again this morning.” He quirked a brow and glanced beyond her to observe the different reactions to Ede’s ‘half-off’ deal. It wasn’t exactly bedlam, but it was enough to generate a handful of extra sales, and in turn, increase her profits for the morning till. A slow shake of his head showed that he approved of her methods. Anything for a bargain. In that sense, they spoke the same language.

Exhaling softly, he reclined back and brought the coffee cup to his lips. “I take it those custard tarts weren’t working out for you?” Another grin. “You know I’m always good for inspiration. All you have to do is ask.”

[@Darcs]