Page 8 of The Disasters of Dating
That is hilarious, but please make sure it’s a very public place just to be sure…
Berries is what I call my cousin, Lucy. When we were younger, she wanted to be called Carrots. (She’s a redhead who wanted to be called Carrots? Go figure.) But I told her that her hair resembled a strawberry more than a carrot, and so I started to call her Berries. It stuck, and that’s what I’ve called her since.
I push thoughts of Keaton, Joe, and the whole security department out of my mind as I ring up some corn nuts, gummy bears, and a neck pillow. I smile at the lady standing in front of me with her credit card at the ready. I pull one of Dani’s books out from the stacked mini display (not completely authorized) and hold it up. “Have you read the new romantasy by Danielle Baldwin? It’s a huge bestseller and I’m lucky to have signed copies for sale.” I say it in a British accent. I can’t say that my accent is flawless. It’s probably not even good. But sometimes it’s the only way I can get through the day. I mean, who doesn’t like to speak with an accent from time to time?
The lady smiles like I might be a bit cray-cray but shakes her head. “Fantasy isn’t really my thing. But thanks.” Her words say, “Thanks,” but her face says, “Stop talking and give me my total.”
I oblige her.
I look at my phone as the lady heads out of the store. Twenty minutes more and Kendra comes to relieve me for my dinner break. Then only four more hours and I can go home and go to bed—ending this colossally sucktastic day.
Kendra saunters into the shop and smiles. “Hey, Pops. How’s it going?” She moves next to me as I finish restocking the nut packages. I like Kendra. While we don’t know each other much more than Sheila and Ido, Kendra is at least nice. And she doesn’t rain on my crystal and horoscope parade.
I look over my shoulder and smile back at her. She is also always happy. Which is what people usually say about me. Except for today. I think people are trying to stay far enough away that they don’t catch my bad juju. Tauruses had a good horoscope today. Why couldn’t I have been born in May? “It’s been a rocky day, but tomorrow will be better, I’m sure.”
I move over behind the checkout counter and flip off the essential oil diffuser that I have going (also not officially authorized). While Kendra isn’t super uptight about the oils like Sheila is, she has a sensitive nose, and some smells get to her. I sometimes wonder why she applied to work in the airport because it has all the smells. And not in a good way.
She gives me a commiserating smile. “Oh, I’m sorry.” She looks around. “It can’t be that bad, right?”
I tip my head slightly and give her a bland look. “Yes, it actually can.” I look at my phone. “If you have a minute after I get back, we can talk about it.”
She nods and smiles. “Oh, yeah. I’d like that. I haven’t talked to you in forever. But I shouldn’t make you late for your break.” She glances at Keaton’s luggage behind the counter. “What is this?”
“Oh…” I start. “It’s part of the long story. The short version is that I said a guy could keep his stuff here while we went to dinner.”
Kendra’s brows shoot up. “You have a dinner date with a traveler? Doesn’t that go against your policy?”
“Yes, yes, it does. But there are extenuating circumstances.” I justify to Kendra. And only Kendra.
Kendra puts her elbows on the counter and drops her chin into her palms. “Oh, now I really have to hear this.”
I roll my eyes. “It’s part of the long story. I’ll fill you in when I get back, okay?”
She releases a heavy sigh and stands back up. “I can hardly wait.”
I grab my bag from under the counter and sling it over my shoulder. A crash sounds, and my legs are suddenly wet. I look down to see my diffuser lying in pieces on the floor. Well, crappyola. The only upside is that this was my plastic one, so at least it isn’t shattered…at least not externally. I can’t vouch for the mechanics inside.
I sigh and shake my head. When the universe is out to get you, it means business. Scooping up all the pieces, I deposit them on the counter. I’ll deal with reassembly when I get back. “I’m going todinner…unless I’m run over by a shuttle cart. And with the day I’m having, it’s totally feasible.”
Kendra smiles. “Come on, Poppy. What’s up with you? You are usually such a look-on-the-bright-side kind of person.”
I roll my shoulders. “I know. It’s just been one of those kinds of days. I need a reset.” Maybe I should do a hot yoga session after work. I frown. There are no studios open at midnight when I get off. And my mom will not be happy if I turn up the heat in the house. I mean, it’s August. Maybe I can do yoga outside?
Kendra motions me out of the shop. “Maybe you’ll get it at dinner. Now shoo.”
“That’s unlikely.” I open my phone screen and find Keaton’s number. I wave at Kendra over my head as I type out a text.
Hey, I’m ready. Do you want me to meet you at the restaurant?
I stand against the wall next to The Wandering Reader and stare down at my phone. I probably should have texted him as soon as Kendra walked into the shop. Then I wouldn’t be standing here wasting my limited dinner break waiting to hear from him.
“No, I think we can walk together. If that’s okay with you.”
I turn and see Keaton standing just behind me, his hands shoved in his jeans pockets. Wow. I don’t know if it’s that particular stance or if my brain has just had a moment to chill, but he looks good. Too good. Suspiciously good? I take a step to the side—for safety reasons. “What are you in the mood for?” I ask, trying not to stare at him. I don’t need him thinking I’m the creepy one here.
“I’m pretty easygoing.” He looks me up and down. “Do you have any food restrictions?”
I eye him. What does that mean? Is he asking about food allergies, or does he think I belong to a restrictive religion? “No. I can eat most anything.”
