“Hey. I'm sorry to bother you, but do you have an extra radio? I gave mine to Ricky.”
Dexter nodded as he walked towards one of the worktables and pulled another radio from the drawer. “I bought a few backups just in case.”
“Look at you, thinking ahead of the game. I should make you my assistant manager.”
Dexter shook his head. “You don't want that. That means you'll have to see me a lot more.”
“There's nothing wrong with that,” I whispered, looking at the radio in my hands.
Dexter huffed out a humorless chuckle before staring down at me. “Natalie, please. This back-and-forth game of yours is giving me whiplash.”
I took a step back and placed my hands on my hips. “What game?”
“One minute I think we're finally going to give in to our desires, but then the next minute you're shutting me down. Trust me, I understand the hesitancy, but I also understand the desire. I need you to choose which route you're willing to take.”
I pressed my lips together as I gripped the radio tightly in my hands. As much as I wanted to yell and disagree with this man, I knew he was one hundred percent correct. There was no denying the feelings I had for Dexter. The way he made me feel was nothing like how I had felt before. Hell, throughout my time with Lawrence, he never had me feeling like this. However, what I was feeling was wrong. I shouldn't be flirting with Dexter or leading him on to believe in a false hope that we could work. Because we simply couldn't. Besides the fact that he's my brother's friend, and there was an age gap between us, I was still holding on to the secret of being engaged. If Dexter and I decided to cross that line, I highly doubt he'd be willing to play along with me still being engaged to Lawrence.
“I-I have to get back to work,” I stammered, walking past Dexter. Reaching for the doorknob, I stopped and looked over my shoulder. “I'm sorry, Dexter.”
Though the store was chaotic, the event managed to maintain a steady rhythm. Adam and Monica had already gained one hundred new online orders, and I had lost track of how many new customers had come into the store.
“Thank you so much for your order today, ma'am, and I have you down for our rewards and collaboration program.” I said, ringing up a customer. “I placed my business card in your bag as well, ma'am.”
“Girl, we’re going to be working together soon, so stop all that ma'am mess. My name is Che'Naomi, or you can call me OG.”
“Damn, I like how you operate, OG,” Ricky laughed. “Tell my sis again to stop playing and get locked in because she didn't say if y'all start working together, but when!”
“I know that's right,” she said, dapping up my brother.
I mushed Ricky on his forehead. “Stay out of grown folks’ business. My bad, OG, but I'll be sure to hit you up Monday morning.”
She smiled as she gathered her new items and headed out the door with a wave. I loved meeting new people, especially Black women who had the same vision as me of uplifting Black voices and businesses. Checking my watch, I realized it was about one in the afternoon. I had relieved Amber for her lunch, and she was due back any minute. Ricky had helped with lunch breaks,and he was adamant about not taking one. So the last person I needed to relieve for lunch was myself, and I was starving.
“I'm back, boss lady,” Amber sang, drying her hands on a napkin before throwing it away.
“Grab yourself some food, sis. Amber and I got the registers, Adam and Monica are handling the live, and Dexter is walking the floor and answering questions while he restocks. We got everything under control.”
A small lump formed in my throat as I nodded my head. I was so used to running and managing the store by myself that I couldn't remember the last time I had genuine help. Hell, when I was working with Lawrence at L&N's, I was doing the majority of the work while he and Sandra fucked off around the store. I shook off that irritation quickly as I headed towards my office. Today was a good day; I had a great staff and people around me who were supportive. There was no need to dwell on the past.
Opening my office door, the smell of something delicious filled my nose, making my stomach growl. On my desk was a to-go order from Mya's restaurant with a note on top.
Natalie, I hope you don't mind, but I grabbed you some lunch since I figured you wouldn't have too much time to grab some. Your friend Mya said this was your favorite, but she also told me you're controlling and forget to slow down enough to eat. So, make sure you eat today and take a break. –Dexter
A wide smile spread across my face as I took out the food and sat at my desk. I bit down on my bottom lip as the idea of Dexter not only having my feelings tied up in confusing knots, but he was going out of his way to feed me. I don't know aboutother women he may have encountered, but food was definitely a one-way ticket to my heart. It wasn't the food, but the fact that he thought and cared enough that I was eating. The more I spent time around him, the more I realized Dexter had to be one of the sweetest, most thoughtful men I knew, besides my family. Maybe we could have a deeper platonic relationship.
After eating my lunch, I decided to go out the back door to get some fresh air. Lifting my head towards the sky, I took the time to marvel at God's beauty and to thank him for the blessing he had granted me and the ones he was sending my way.
“Your shop must be tanking for you to be sitting out here sulking.”
Snapping my head forward, I saw the last person I wanted to see walking up towards me.
“What are you doing over here, Sandra?”
“I wanted to see how you and your little shop were holding up.”
I scoffed. “More like, you wanted to see if I was struggling or closed. Well, I hate to break the wonderful news, sweetheart, but today I'm doing great.”
Sandra clapped her hands dramatically. “Look at you finally doing something with your pathetic self.”
