13
Lonnie showed up at the shop just before closing. He surveyed the street for anything unusual, but he only saw couples strolling hand-in-hand on the sidewalk as they made their way over to the Lock and Key Bridge. He stepped inside the shop and waved at Alexis, who was ringing up a customer.
“Thank you for shopping with us today,” she said.
Once the customer left, Alexis came around the counter and locked the door before turning to face Lonnie.
“Hi,” she said, smiling shyly.
“Hey, you.” Lonnie held up a takeout bag. “I brought Italian again. I hope that’s okay.”
“I love Italian.”
“Me too!” a voice chimed from the back.
Lonnie looked past Alexis to find Melissa adding ingredients to a mixer.
“Melissa is joining us tonight. I got a little frazzled last night, so I need the extra hands,” Alexis said.
“I brought plenty of food, so it’s no problem. I’m sorry my absence frazzled you,” he said, following her to the table in the back of the store.
“It’s okay. I was able to get things done, but the orders are ramping up the closer we get to the weekend.”
Melissa joined them at the table, and they all dished up food.
“Do you put a cutoff on orders?” Lonnie asked before taking a bite of his noodles.
Alexis shook her head. “I never have before, but I’m thinking we might need to next year.”
Melissa agreed. “It seems a lot more chaotic this year, and I’m sure that won’t slow down. Thank you for bringing dinner, Lonnie. And I’m sorry for crashing your date.”
Lonnie chuckled. “It’s quite all right.”
After the conversation with the women that morning about the creepy man who had been in the shop, he felt better being there with them while they worked late. While neither of them expressed concern about late hours, it gave him peace of mind.
“Are you on call tonight?” Alexis asked with an amused glint in her eye.
“Nope. I’m all yours.”
Melissa let out a low whistle. “And that’s my cue to get back to work. You two crazy kids don’t have too much fun over here. Remember, I can see you.”
Alexis blushed and Lonnie laughed as Melissa went back to her workstation.
“Did you see that guy again after I left?” Lonnie asked.
Alexis shook her head. “No. I’ve only seen him twice, and both times were in the morning.”
“I’m still planning to come by and hang out for a bit. I’m not needed at work until the afternoon.”
Alexis looked relieved. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
Alexis wasa bundle of nerves waiting for Lonnie to show up. The evening had been incredibly productive as Lonnie followed directions well. Having an extra set of hands had Alexis considering hiring extra help for the holidays. At least then maybe they would only have to work normal hours rather than having a lot of long nights and overtime.
Melissa joined Alexis shortly after she had arrived, and they started working on the next day’s orders. Lonnie had gotten them far enough ahead that they didn’t have to worry about any more orders to finish for the current day.
Thirty minutes before the shop was set to open, there was a knock on the front door. Alexis looked up to find Lonnie waving and holding a carrier of coffees.
“If you don’t marry that man, I will,” Melissa said.
