I work at a high volume drive thru SB. I typically work morning shifts starting at 7, but I usually like to come in half an hour early to get a drink and settle into work. We have few regulars that come into the lobby in the morning. One of them (we’ll call him X [m50-60]) I always run into because he comes in everyday at 6:30am as well.

When I first met him, I was in line at POS and he introduced himself to me and I did back. He asked if I worked there and I said yes. He continued to talk about how he’s seen me around. He got his drink and proceeded to sit in the lobby and I got my drink and went into the back before I clocked in.

Since then, every time X comes in, he walks up to the bar (I’m usually on drive bar) and says hi to me with a wide smile on his face, and does the same when he leaves. I’ve never thought twice about it. Everyone at my store loves him and believes him to be a super sweet guy so I was under the impression of the same.

Today I was off and I came by the store around 8a to get coffee, sit in the lobby, and do some sketching (I usually do this later in the day on my days off). I was also meeting up with my roommate who is also a partner at the store. He happened to be sitting at the table next to X. I said hi to X then went to get my drink. I came back, sat down with my roommate and told him I wanted to stay for little and do some sketching.

As we sat there X tried to make some small talk with me. I politely engaged, but I really didn’t want to be all “customer service-y” on my day off so I tried to cut the conversation short.

My roommate then got up to get a refill and the following interaction proceeded between me and X.

X: I wanted to wish you an early Christimas. *holds out his hand*

Me: *reaches to shake his hand* Aww Merry Christmas to you too.

He continued to hold my hand

X: I wanted you to know that I like you. Like really really like you. I LIKE like you.

I proceeded to remove my hand from his grasp. I have a bad history with assault and my initial reaction is always involuntarily freezing up when I’m uncomfortable. All I could let out was an awkward laugh.

My roommate came back and X got quiet and stopped talking. A couple minutes went by and my roommate got back up again to use the bathroom. X continued making advances.

X: Is that your boyfriend?

Me: no he’s my roommate

X: *whew* That’s a relief. You know you’re very beautiful. I told my brother about you. I told him I met this beautiful girl named Ray. And I really like her.

Thankfully my roommate came back and X stopped talking again. I told my roommate I wanted to leave and we walked home.

What do I do with this? Can anything be done? He comes in the same time that I work and I don’t feel comfortable around him anymore.

Edit: spelling