Page 198 of Champagne Nights

“It’s okay. It was quite humorous.”

I smiled at her as I took my cart and grabbed a couple of bags of spinach. I couldn’t stop stealing small glances at her as she placed some apples in a plastic bag. She was incredibly beautiful with her five-foot-seven stature, lean body, long blonde wavy hair, and eyes resembling perfect emeralds. Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of my phone. When I pulled it from my pocket, I saw Kirsten was calling.

“Hello.”

“Hey, handsome. Are you still at the office?”

“Uh, no. I’m just getting ready to check out at the grocery store.”

“Seriously?” She laughed. “You’re at the grocery store? You have Delilah to do that for you.”

“She’s on vacation, remember? Plus, I was out of coffee and some other things.”

“You could have just spent the night at my place tonight. I have plenty of coffee.”

“As nice as that sounds, I have a lot of work to do when I get home. We already discussed that.”

“I know. I was checking in since I haven’t heard from you all day. Dinner tonight? I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“Yes. Of course. I have to let you go, Kirsten. I’m checking out now.”

“Okay. I love you.”

“Me too. I’ll see you later.”

I headed towards the registers and sighed at the long lines. My eyes diverted to Ellie standing in line with nobody behindher. I used it as the perfect opportunity to talk to her one last time before I would never see her again. As I walked over in her direction, she smiled at me.

“Crazy lines,” I signed.

“Always are at this time of the day.”

When it was her turn, she loaded her groceries on the belt and reached into her purse. Suddenly, a look of panic crossed her face as she frantically dug through her purse.

The cashier reached over and touched her arm to get her attention.

“Is something wrong, Ellie?”

Ellie turned to me and asked if I could tell the cashier that she’d left her wallet at home and that she’d be back.

“No worries. I can pay for your groceries,” I signed back, reached into my pocket, and pulled out my wallet.

She shook her head as she reached over and placed her hand on my arm.

“It’s the least I can do since I knocked over the apples.” I smirked.

I handed the cashier some cash, and Ellie thanked me with a beautiful smile.

“You’re welcome.” The corners of my mouth curved upward.

She grabbed her two bags and waited for me by the door.

“That was nice of you to pay for her groceries,” the cashier spoke. “She’s so nice, and she always comes in here.”

“We just met in the produce section over a mishap with the apples.”

“That’s cool. It’s great you know sign language. She’s lucky you were here.”

“Yeah. I guess so.” I glanced over at her as the corners of my mouth curved upward.

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