His chocolate-brown eyes looked back at her, and she couldn’t help but smile. “If you’re up for it, let’s do it.”
He smiled brightly and paid for the box of cupcakes Alexis pulled out for him. “Perfect. I’ll bring us dinner and be here when the shop closes.”
“Sounds amazing.”
He stepped out of the store, and Alexis watched him walk across the street.
“Oh, man. This works out great,” Melissa said. “I made plans for tonight, so now I feel less guilty about you working alone.”
“Oh, really? You had plans this whole time? Even though you said you could work late only a minute ago? Or are you only saying that because Lonnie is coming here?” Alexis asked.
“No. Of course not. It’s purely coincidental.”
Alexis giggled and returned to the prep counter. “I’m sure. Thank you again for all your help last night.”
“No need to thank me. It was my pleasure.”
The bell above the door jingled as another customer entered. Melissa was in the middle of piping frosting onto a cupcake, so Alexis went to help. The man in front of her was wearing dark clothing and a heavy coat. The hair on the back of Alexis’s neck stood up immediately, but she didn’t know why. She had never met him before.
“Can I help you?”
He stared at her for a moment, which only made her unease grow. “Yes. I’d like to get a cupcake, please.” He pointed at a red velvet, and she went to put it into a mini box.
“Will that be all?”
“Yes.”
She rang up the purchase and took his cash payment. Before he walked out, he smiled, which made her skin crawl. She watched him walk across the street and get into the van she had seen parked on the street for a few days. But this time, it pulled away and drove off.
Before she could give it much thought, the door opened again with a customer. She shook off the creepy vibes she got and smiled at the customer.
“How can I help you?”
