This makes me sad.
I want to walk up to him and hold his face in my hands just so I can get a good look at him, but that would be rude. And I’d probably get arrested after he called the cops on me.
The only turn off I can see from my vantage point is that he’s smoking.
He looks angry, too. His lip is curled as he looks into Safira’s window.
I’m scared he’ll come in here and yell at me trying to get his girlfriend’s money back for the fabulous dress she’s ruined. I just know my neck is red, I can tell from how much it’s itching.
Please, please don’t come in here and yell at me, Mr. Large Man.
Like an answer to my silent prayer he throws his cigarette butt onto the pavement (another turn off—litter bug), steps on it, and walks into a building I was told by my girls is a very popular nightclub.
From the front of the building it doesn’t look like much. The large double doors are the typical ones you’d normally see at a club. It also looks narrow. Not quite as narrow as Safira but still narrow for a club. The sign atop the door catches my eye.
The White Rabbit.
The sign is white with a whimsical feel to it. The words are written in black and it all looks very plain but artsy.
What a strange name for a club.
I’m confused.
Why would he be at a nightclub during the day?
Maybe he’s security? He’s definitely built for it.
I’m intrigued. I want to know more about him.#p#分页标题#e#
The week passes and I observe the man from afar. I have made mental notes. He takes three cigarette breaks a day. He is always dressed in business attire. And I never see him leave. But something about him bothers me.
I have never seen him smile.
***
Meems breaks my thoughts with, “Well?”
Uh, what?
Confusion settles over my features and I reply, “Well what?”
“Did you have a nice trip?” Mimi smirks. “You were miles away, babe”
Oops.
I cringe and say, “Sorry. What were you saying?”
She looks livid. Her blue eyes flash at me and she spits, “I said that fine ass man is out there again!”
I want to stroke her shoulder length silky sunny blonde hair but this is a no-go with Mimi. I’m very affectionate and hugged Mimi once. Once was enough to realize this is a no-go because when we parted from said hug, she looked at me like I ran over her dog.
I save all my workplace affection for Lola who is a bit younger than me and comes from an affectionate household. She gets me.
I sigh through my response. “Yeah. I saw him, Meems. He’s looking pretty good today. Lilac is a good color on him.”
Her eyes widen and she almost yells, “That’s all you have to say?” She narrows her eyes at me. “You’ve been watching him for two weeks, Tina. Grow some balls and ask the dude out.”
Um, No.
I don’t do relationships.
I’m twenty eight years old and have only been in one relationship. It was good in the beginning. It totally sucked at the end. Never again.
I’ve dated men since my relationship went bust, quite a few actually. But not one of those men broke through the thick wall I’ve built around myself. I call it protecting myself. It works and I’m sticking to it. It’s a bit lonely but at least I have my friends.
I lower my eyes, fold another sweater and whisper, “You know I can’t do that, hon. I think a new box of those linen shirts came in. Can you please steam and shelf them?”
Her face shows her frustration and she mutters, “Way to change the subject, boss lady.”
I watch her walk into the stock room but my attention is pulled back to building across from mine.
On the counter next to the register are two clear cellophane wrapped bags of candy. One has Raspberry bullets in it, which are my all-time favorite; the other holds red wax lips.
I don’t have to talk to him to be nice to him. He won’t ever know who they came from.
I set aside the wax lips on the counter and taking a piece of paper from next to the register I write three small words. I fold up my note, punch a hole in it, and tie it around the candy using the red foil ribbon we use to gift wrap items with.
I look at the time on the register.
Another hour and he’ll be back for another cigarette break.
I walk into the stock room and tell Mimi I need a break. She comes out front to man the counter for me. I walk out of Safira’s and turn left to the coffee shop next door.
I know every person who works at Winnie’s coffee lounge and they know me and my girls pretty well, too. We’re there at least three times every day to get our coffee fix, and believe me when I tell you Winnie’s coffee is the bomb.
It’s not a large coffee lounge. In fact, there is only one three seater lounge in the store because that’s all it can fit. It’s about a quarter of the size of Safira’s and I’m sure at one point our two stores used to be one.