I go in to find Sammi behind the counter.
Perfect. Just who I need to see.#p#分页标题#e#
I walk over to him and smile, he smiles back flirtatiously.
Sammi is eighteen; he works at Winnie’s part time and goes to college. He is cute. At least, I think he is under all that dark hair. His hair is long and brushed forward over one eye. The eye that I can see is a warm brown color.
He smiles and says, “Tina, babe, what can I get you?”
Ever the charmer, I reply, “Actually, Sammi, I need a favor.”
His face shows unconcealed surprise. A small smile forms on his lips and he says in a husky voice, “Sure! Whatever you need…” He licks his lips in invitation.
I laugh, put a hand on my chest and say, “Oh my, not that kind of favor! Sammi, I’m old enough to be your Mo…uh, older sister.”
He wiggles his brows at me and responds, “My sister ain’t a hottie.”
I can’t help but laugh. We banter like this all the time. It’s harmless and Sammi is a sweetheart.
“Can you help me or not?” I say in mock sternness with my hands on my hips.
That charming smile appears again and he replies, “Anything for you, babe.”
I explain to him what I need done and he looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. After pleading with him and planting and a wet, sloppy kiss on his cheek, he finally agrees.
I jump up and down in victory, thank him and walk back to Safira. I relieve Mimi, take my place at the counter and wait to see what happens.
A half hour passes and the beautiful man across the street appears, right on time, cigarette in hand. I spot Sammi making his way across the street and anxiety knots my stomach.
This was a bad idea. What was I thinking??! God, I am such a turd!
Sammi approaches beautiful man and hands a small brown paper bag to him. Sammi says a few words and walks away. He spies me through Safira’s window and winks at me.
I watch Mr. Beautiful open the brown paper bag and take out the candy.
He looks confused. I’m not surprised.
He tears the note off the ribbon, opens it and reads. He looks even more confused and my heart shrinks.
What I see next makes it all worth it.
His eyes crinkle and a small smile twitches at his lips.
Not great, but definite progress. This is the first smile I’ve seen grace his gorgeous face and it was nice. I can’t help but smile, too.
Yay, me! See?! Not such a bad idea after all.
A deep sigh escapes me. I feel at peace once again. I go about my work with a huge smile plastered on my face.
***
Rawr Raaawr
I inwardly cringe and glare at the damn door.
A man stands there.
He’s smiling but his eyes look at me like being a girl is a disease and you can catch it from visiting a boutique.
He is tall, probably 6’2”. Olive skin tone and amber colored eyes.
I’m mesmerised.
His eyes are like honey! I’ve never seen that eye color before. He has dark brown spiky hair and a nice five o’clock shadow.
Wow, this man is gorgeous.
He looks to be about my age. He walks over to me, places both forearms on my counter, leans in close and asks, “Can you help me, honey?”
“I. Ahh…” I’m tongue tied. His voice is as smooth as his honey eyes.
Having obviously heard a man’s voice in the store, Mimi comes to stand next to me.
She looks Mr. Gorgeous up and down and narrows her eyes. She says firmly, “I can help you.”
He looks her up and down the same way she’d done mere seconds before and smiles a big smile. Mr Gorgeous has a dimple.
My knees almost buckle and I start to sweat.#p#分页标题#e#
He smirks as he responds, “Great. I’m looking for the owner of this.”
I look down and feel the flush rise from my chest up. This is because on the counter sits my Mr. Beautiful note.
Mimi looks down, brow scrunched in confusion. She reads the note and I know I’m totally busted. Meems knows my handwriting.
I feel her stare bore into me, I won’t look at her.
“You didn’t…” Her voice colored with amusement.
I’m red, splotchy, and embarrassed. I look towards the man who is now looking at me with narrowed eyes, his head at a tilt. Like he’s trying to read my mind or figure me out.
Before I can stop myself, I answer with a shrill, “How did he know it was me?”
Mr. Gorgeous takes the note from the counter and turns it over. We all look down and what I see makes me even redder. I hear Mimi burst out laughing. Mr. Gorgeous quietly chuckles.
Safira Boutique.
I wrote on Safira stationary!
I. Am. Mortified.
He was never meant to know!
Mr. Gorgeous speaks, “C’mon, sweetheart. You’re comin’ with me.”
Uh, What?
I whisper, “Excuse me?”