“Maybe he was something more,” she said.
“He wasn’t.”
“Maybe he was.And maybe you’re just scared to admit that.”
“Scared?”
“Because you might fail.”Kirsten stopped folding and putting rugs back.Now she looked straight at him.“And maybe that will happen, but it doesn’t mean you always have to play it safe with your pining and crushing.How awesome were these past few weeks with him?”
Amazing.After his confrontation with Randall, Tom gave her the full scoop.The beach book, the sunscreen, the Wounded Soldier, the presidential audiobook challenge, Veronese Estates.He loved sharing those details more than the ones about sex.
“It doesn’t matter now,” Tom said.
“I’m sorry for making you say those things about him.I’m so used to objectifying hot guys.I didn’t realize they hate that as much as women do.”
“I hate to cut this gender studies class short, but we need one of you at the front of the store,” Antonio said, peeking his head in.
“I got it,” Tom said, grateful for the distance from Kirsten.
* * *
In retail,spring started right after New Year’s.The holiday season was like going on a bender that you wanted to forget as soon as it was over.On top of dealing with the onslaught of holiday shoppers, stores had to prepare their stockrooms for the spring shipments that came in late December.Because of inclement weather downstate, the truck coming with the spring merchandise shipment was delayed, meaning Tom and Antonio and a seasonal worker had to stay late to unload it after closing down the store.The seasonal worker only lasted until 11:15.His curfew was midnight.
The Décor Store felt like a different world during these late nights, one filled with magic and intrigue.Tom used to imagine aToy Story-like scenario where the items all came to life once the customers left.He knew that wasn’t real, but it made having to stay here so late a little bit more bearable.
Although Antonio helped with that part, too.He ordered pizza from the Sbarro’s before they closed.The box sat on the break room table.
“You got mushrooms?”Tom asked when he flipped the box open.
“I know you love them,” Antonio said as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
“Are you okay with them?This is your pizza, too.”
“Yep.”He sat on the counter, which was probably against corporate policy.Antonio seemed ready to cut loose.
Tom looked at him an extra second.He had had food court pizza for his lunch break several times.He didn’t think Antonio ever noticed what kind of pizza he ate.
Tom held up his slice of pizza.“Thanks.”
“Let’s eat and then get to work.”Antonio joined him at the table and took a slice for himself.“I appreciate you staying late, Tom.”
“Well, I’m getting paid overtime, so it’s all good.”
“We really—I really am grateful that you’re here.You are this store’s secret weapon.”An earnestness took hold of the smoldering features of his face, creasing it in ways new to Tom.“Do you remember when we had to do summer inventory—”
“And that display of decanters fell and shattered?”
“Completely shattered!Into a million pieces!”
“We were so exhausted.”
“You suggested we put a rug over it rather than clean it up.”Antonio broke out laughing.
“I was tired and wanted to go home.Leave me alone!”
Antonio’s laughter faded into a smile fixed right for Tom.A wave of chills went up Tom’s back.Maybe the smolder wasn’t completely gone.
“We’ve had a lot of good times in this store, Tom.”Antonio didn’t stop looking at him, like a police officer trying to get his suspect to crack.“I’m glad you’re here.”
