"I'm-" She paused. "-frustrated." I knew her eyes were on me, but I refused to look up as I counted.
"Oh, really? Why?" Blithe tone, steady facial expression-I was not going to give away any trepidation. Why should I? I was happy, very happy. It was my last day before a month's vacation, I was going on a trip around the country with my man, my best friend was getting married next year, my stepdaughter enjoyed my company and had started calling me Dad Number Two, and now my newest close friend was dating one of my husband's best friends. I didn't see how my life could get any better.
Mrs. Snyder made a little noise. Maybe it was a sigh, maybe not, but her eyes turned downcast. "You see," she explained in a pouty tone, "I'm normally very good at getting what I want. I see something … sweet, and I take it. In September I spied something very sweet, saccharine sweet, and I tried my hardest to snatch it up, but to no avail."
I punched in the numbers and glanced over to her to let her know I was listening. "Uh-huh. That must have been frustrating. What was it you wanted?"
When she didn't answer, I stopped what I was doing and glanced at her. She licked her lips and whispered, "A fine-looking young man."
I cleared my throat. "Um, oh, really?" I stammered. "A-anyone I know?" That damn shrill voice of mine just couldn't lay low for two seconds.
She gave me the most lascivious smirk I've seen in my life. "Yes. You know him … intimately."
My skin rushed cold. Was she really doing this here? In front of everyone? I looked for Jessica, but she wasn't around. She must have gone to the bathroom right when I needed her to bail me out. Tracy had her door closed. Lucinda must have been in the vault. How could I have been left alone with this woman?
Someone coughed behind her, and we both glanced over.
"Tristan?" I hadn't even seen him walk in.
Mrs. Snyder addressed him. "Mr. Carr. How nice to see you."
"Mrs. Snyder," he greeted her back, nodding slightly. He stepped up next to her in front of my window. "I don't mean to interrupt, but I stopped by to give these to Grant." Tristan produced a bouquet of flowers from behind his back.
I gasped and covered my mouth momentarily. "Oh, Tristan! What are these for?" I reached for the bundle as Mrs. Snyder stepped aside after catching daisy petals up her nose.
"Our anniversary."
I was confused. "Anniversary? It's not the fifteenth."
"No," he said. "But one hundred and three days ago, today, I met you. Right here." His deep blue eyes sparkled as he gazed at me.
I was about to cry when Mrs. Snyder interrupted our moment. "I think that's my cue." She reached for her receipt and slipped it into her purse. She regarded Tristan with a certain air of acknowledgment. "Grant told me he got married. I had no idea it was to you." She held out her hand, and he took it. "Congratulations, Mr. Carr. You've certainly landed a very special catch."
His eye twitched. "Why, thank you. I know I'm a very lucky man."
"Indeed. Grant's a very … sweet … boy." She redirected her attention to me, and I nearly choked on my own saliva, remembering her previous comment. Luckily, she placed her eyes back on Tristan a second later. "I wish you nothing but happiness. Now, if you'll excuse me." She released his hand and strolled proudly to the front door.
As soon as the door shut, I let out a little squeal.
"What's wrong?" Tristan asked.
Jessica appeared next to me and explained, "That woman's been trying to get him into bed. I swear it!" She held up her hand.
Tristan shook his head. "Is this normal customer behavior?"
"Yes!" I declared. "Some customers even ask me to marry them. The nerve." I rolled my eyes and we all shared a good laugh.
When I had moved to Westminster less than four months ago, I had worried about how much my life would change. Now, I knew change was a good thing.