Eyes rolling, she points to the checkout counter.
I set the box down in a spot that appears recently cleared. A green extension cord is plugged into the wall nearby. “This good?”
“Perfect.” She swipes her hands down her jeans and moves to the cash register, putting her hand out for the ticket. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Very welcome. I lean my elbow on the counter, which by default, brings us closer. “Anything else I can help you with?”
Her eyes flare.Shoot.I’m not convinced that didn’t emerge a bit differently than intended.
Straightening, I hand her the ticket. Our fingers touch in the process, accidentally on purpose. I wouldn’t describe the contact as electric, but only because I’m not big on clichés. I am, however, wholly satisfied, because I sense the incidental contact registers with her as it did with me.
A piece of hair from her drooping ponytail hides her face as she punches numbers into the machine. “Twelve-ninety.”
“Boy, that’s a bargain.” Coat bunched under my arm, I hand her the twenty I had at the ready.
“CheapandCharlieoften wind up in the same sentence.”
Laughter gurgles out, a spontaneous response I couldn’t have helped even had I thought fast enough to consider censoring.
Everly bites her lip in that special way already branded into my gray matter. “I think that fell somewhere in line with the rats comment—better unsaid. Sorry. Long day. Not that it’s an excuse.” She mashes a button and the drawer pops open with ading.
“Keep the change.”
Her blue eyes lock on. “That’s a mighty big tip.”
“The service was mighty great.”
Her chin notches up, drawing my attention to the gentle curve of her throat. “I don’t need it, you know?”
The compliment? Because who doesn’t need cash? I don’t see how anyone could make much around this place. “Keep it anyway. I hate change rattling around in my pocket.”
“Yeah, those dollar bills make a lot of racket.” But she pockets the bills and a single dime in her apron.
She’s so pretty.
She bats back the loose hair. “Um, is there something else I can get for you?”
You.
Wait, what?
“Nope. I’m good.”
Fantastic. Just maybe I was staring. I tuck my wallet away and turn for the door, figuring my own face might have become the same shade as hers. I am kind of a dumb ox sometimes. Tonight has been a weird combo of flirtation and foot-in-mouth disease.
“Hey.”
I spin. “Yeah?”
She’s still working that lip. “On second thought, could I ask a favor?”
She can ask ten favors.
“I know it’s late, but there’s another box—”
My coat is over the nearest chair before her sentence is complete. “Show me.”
She sizes me up, then leads the way. I stop one step inside the swinging door. “Are you here alone?”
