Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Dillon
The holiday season was always a busy time for the grocery store, but somehow it had seemed even worse this year.
More hectic, the customers more demanding, running out of items too fast.
Maybe because I was actually running the place, not just helping his folks out. I never seemed to be able to slow down — there was always something else that needed to be ordered, or a home delivery to make, or someone who just wanted a chat.None of which I minded doing, that was the business after all, but I never had a moment to breathe.
The To Do list in my mind had a new item every five minutes.
Each morning, I thanked Christian from the bottom of my soul just for turning up again.
“It’s been so busy, I wouldn’t blame you if you quit,” I said, on the morning of December twelfth. “I thought it wouldn’t be like this until the week before Christmas.”
Christian chuckled. “Well, I want to be helpful, and I can clearly see I’m helping!” He gave me a soothing pat on the shoulder. “I’m here for you.”
I held back the sudden urge to give the other man a bear hug and cry on his shoulder. “Thanks.”
Truth be told, I couldn’t have held it together without Christian. The guy went above and beyond, and was very thoughtful in a way I was constantly grateful for. We got into the habit of ensuring the other was taking breaks and staying hydrated.
I made another order of frozen turkeys. They’d run out so fast. According to his Dad’s ledger, he should have easily ordered enough, but somehow... no. And the hams weren’t selling as fast as they should be. Why was everyone wanting turkey? Had they all skipped Thanksgiving?
Then there were those chocolates that had somehow gone viral online and everyone wanted them. I’d ordered twice as many boxes of those than I thought I’d need at the start of the month and they were already all gone.
Just before he left for the day, I gave Christian the second to last take-and-bake pizzas from the deli fridge. “They won’t be as good tomorrow, I’ll take the last one.”
“I can pay for it,” Christian offered.
I shook my head and ushered him out of the door. “Consider it a tip for hard work.”
It wasn’t exactly the most nutritious dinner, but it was something.
Before I went home, I took a look at the takings and wondered if there was enough income to hire someone else. Maybe that kid, Henry? Just for the next couple of weeks to help with stocking shelves?
I probably could. Assuming Henry was interested. I’d talk to Tane about it.
Or maybe Tane could come in for some hours...
Locking up the store for the night, I looked at the windows. I hadn’t even managed to put up the traditional Christmas decorations in the window. They’d be stored somewhere in back, I assumed.
I added that to the mental To Do list for tomorrow. That was a problem for future Dillon.
I walked home slowly, trying to let go of the rush of the day in order to be relaxed when I saw Tane.
Tane, gorgeous, sweet Tane.
The ring I’d impulsively ordered online was metaphorically burning a hole in my pocket. I wanted to give it to Tane, but I didn’t want to scare him off.
Our relationship, what we had, It was all still so new.
We’d fallen in love so fast that it felt fragile, delicate. Like something he had to handle carefully, to protect. It made me think of a Taylor Swift song, something offFolkloremaybe.
Maybe Christmas would be the right time?
Or maybe New Year’s? New Year’s Eve was a nice, celebratory time to pop the question.
