Every second of stalling with his tea and the provided extras, meant another second of not having to speak.  Unfortunately, Anton was not adept at tea prep and talking at the same time.  At least he convinced himself of this character flaw in the right here and the right now.<br/><br/>Honey added to his steamy mug.  Nine seconds.  Milk poured ever so slowly so as not to flood the tea with the white stuff.  Six seconds.  Reaching for the sugar, he changed his mind before touching it, thinking the honey was sweetness enough.   Six seconds.  Stirring the hot liquid as if his life depended on it (or someone else’s), he removed the spoon and placed it on the tray.  Eight seconds.  So, 29 seconds later, and Stella was still there.  Damn, he thought.  I really need to work on my stalling techniques.<br/><br/>Hesitating to take his first sip since he knew the tea was still piping hot, Anton said instead, “Look Stella, with whatever else happens, I really hope you’ll reconsider moving out.  I know how much you love this place.  And I also know how you keep saying you can’t stay here if Magdalene is gonna be around.”  Not paying attention any longer, he took his first sip and regretted it immediately.  Since the tea was STILL HOT, it scalded his lips and tongue.<br/><br/>Anton shook it off and continued, “I really don’t know why she told you whatever she chose to tell you.  Though if you ask me, I think she’s just messing with you.  When I stop to think about it, I believe this all started when we bumped into you and Brad at the ice cream parlor.”  He sipped again, albeit a smaller one.  Much better.  The honey sure added to its taste, too.<br/><br/>“And another thing,” he began (Anton was on a roll now), “she is not moving in and we are not an item, if that’s what you wanna call it.”  He shrugged with a puzzled expression.  “I dunno where she got any of that.  But I will find out next time I see her or talk to her.”<br/><br/>Tea now in the temperature range of a simmering volcano instead of an erupting one, he drank from his mug again.  “And, uh, about you liking me more than just friends,” he offered.  Since that heavy intro hung in the air like a thick chowder, he sipped his tea yet again.  “Now, you know I can’t say that to you, and I won’t say it just for the sake of saying it.  But I could get there.  Given time.”  Anton squirmed in his seat, clueless about Stella’s thoughts on the matter.<br/><br/>“I mean, there’s so much more to learn about the other, that it’ll take time.  Time well-spent, I might add,” he threw in for good measure.  Throughout it all, Stella’s expression remained even at best, unreadable at worst.  Suddenly realizing he was on a sinking ship with no lifeline, Anton said, “I’m, uh, willing to give it a go if you are.”  He so wished he could contact Scotty to beam his ass outta there this second.