Oh, sweet baby Jesus, what was I was trying to say? Am I drooling?
“I… let me…”
Reaching into the front pocket of my apron, I pull out my phone and unlock it. “Here.”
He reluctantly takes my phone from my hand, lifting an eyebrow as if he’s able to see straight into my wheelhouse, struggling to work through hostile conditions.
“Is there something else going on, Cindel?”
How is it my name has never sounded quite as sensual as it does coming from this man’s mouth?
“Well… It’s kind of hard to explain.”
His thumb rubs across his lower jaw, ending on his dimpled chin.
I wonder what his fine layer of stubble would feel like against my skin.
Someone joins the line behind him, causing us to pull away from one another.
He quickly types his number into my phone before handing it back to me.
I look down to find he’s created and sent a new message. Texting the word ‘Marco’to himself so he has my new number as well.
He gathers his two bags, coming around the lane to stand just before me. Even on the rubber slip mat, he’s so fucking tall!
Reaching out, his hand comes up to meet my cheek, his fingers skate down my face, lifting my chin gently to look up at him.
“Let me know if someone else is bothering you, Cindel. I should be the only one doing that.”
He steps back and all the warmth, along with the leathery scent, goes with him.
The customer clears her throat, and I spin around to see a vast collection of dish soaps, air fresheners, and toilet paper rolls. Ugh, One of those! The couponing biddies were older ladies who came in regularly with multiple clippings from that week’s paper. They also insisted on paying with pre-rolled coins and crumpled singles. I didn’t mind that they wanted to save money, just that I had to validate their change. This usually causes an unnecessarily long line to form behind them.
As if on cue, she places her hanging glasses onto her nose, opens up her foldable wallet, and begins shuffling for said vouchers.
I begin scanning, unable to help watching the former, more handsome customer heading toward the sliding glass doors. Ipull out my phone, open up the newest message and type,‘Polo.’ I hold it just below the register, because I wasn’t exactly wanting to advertise that I was using my phone on the floor.
His body stops on a dime as he reaches for his phone, upon me sending the message. A smile blooms across his chiseled face, as his thumbs race across the phone.
My phone vibrates in my hand. He instantly wrote back.
Unknown: If you ever feel like a fish out of water… please tell me.
Tell him? I haven’t even told my best friend… would I really discuss anything like this with Eamon?
It was so crowded in Star Mart. Everyone likes to stop at this one as opposed to the other one off of Huntington Ave. It was hard to see, but I could have sworn I saw Mairead on the other side of the store, sticking her tongue out at Eamon from her lane.
Was he shaking his head? Exiting through the sliding doors, he disappears down the street.
See? This is what a shitty night of sleep does to you.
Your imagination is getting away again.
Once the coupon queen finishes paying in quarters and questionably weathered singles, I check my phone again.
Andrea: Any hot customers wearing loafers?
I bite back a grin, quickly messaging her back.
