The customer in front of me awkwardly flirts 
with the eager employee who makes her salad.
A John Green novel unfolds
as the pair quickly reach common ground 
between the anime he binges
and her ripped concert t-shirt.
Although masks cover their mouths,
I sense the smiles
foresee their happy (or tragic?) future
in alert, lightened eyes 
and postures moving as magnets.

While the impatient line behind me begins to groan,
I find myself thinking of you —
wishing I could tear off the mask,
cross the space between us,
let you know I want you 
with more than just my words.