She followed me to the cash register and I rung up the item. “So where is he planning on taking you? Or is he making a special dinner at home? $45 please.”  I asked her as I put her shirt in a bag.

           She pulled out her wallet. “Well, he’s taking me to the diner down the road. He says they have really good pasta. He knows I’m a sucker for pasta.” She smiled as she handed me the money.

           I handed her the bag and smiled. “I hope that it really is that good. I haven’t tried it yet.”

           “You should.” She began to whisper when she said the next thing. “And that cutie over there seems to fancy you.”

           “Have fun on your date tonight.” I said shooing her out of the store as my face turned bright red.

           Why would she say something like that while he’s in the same room? I sighed and tried to make sure my face wasn't red before I turned around and walk back to the computer. I heard Rook clear his throat and I looked up. “Yes?”

           “You look distracted.” He said.

           I laughed sheepishly. “I’m fine. I just think they’re so cute together. Loving each other and everything.” I looked back down at the desk and acted like I was preoccupied with my desks clutter. I had to admit that even though I did see him as attractive and I wanted to fall in love like any other girl, I only knew this guy for a few hours. Not to mention I’m also not ready to have a man in my life.

           “Joanne, what did that crazy old lady say?” He asked me.

           I laughed. She was a bit crazy. “Nothing.”

           “It must have been something. Your face was as red as an apple.” He tilted his head.

           As an apple? Was that a saying now? I sighed. “It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

           “I’d say it is. She pointed right at me.” He contradicted.

           “Shit.” I whispered under my breath. I bit my lip and got up. “Well you see, she said that she thought you looked weird in the store.” Yeah. That should be believable.

           “Mhm. Right. I won’t pry anymore but I’ll find out eventually.” He turned around and began to tidy up the post cards. I went back to organizing my desk. It really was a mess though. After it was clean I moved on to going through online orders and the inventory. A woman with straight brown hair holding the hand of a little girl with blond hair up in two high ponytails, walked in as the bell chimed.

           “Hello, welcome to Maria's Boutique.” Rook said the woman. “What can I help you with?”

           I watched as the woman and him talked a few seconds and the little girl skipped over to the stuffed animals on display. The woman laughed at something he said. He smiled and walked over to the dress section and she followed. I couldn’t help but watch them. She grabbed a small red dress and held it up to herself. She said something to him and he nodded. The little girl was playing with the stuffed animals and making them talk to each other.

           The woman laughed again walked to the desk and he followed her. “Hello. I’d like to buy this.” She handed the dress to me. I scanned the price tag. “Okay. That’ll be $65.” I smiled at her.

           She pulled out her wallet. “Do you accept debit? I nodded and she handed me the card. I scanned it and put her dress into a bag.

           “Do you have anything fun happening today?” I asked her as her child skipped over to her and handed her mom a stuffed bunny rabbit. “Please mommy? Please?” The woman sighed. “Okay,” As she handed me the bunny and the card. I scanned the bunny and then her card. I put the bunny in a bag. “Yes. We’re going to the beach.” The woman said.

           “I’m gonna get some pretty shee shells.” The little girl said with a big grin. I smiled at her.

           “Sounds like you have a really fun day ahead of you.” I said. The girl nodded and I handed her mother the bags. She smiled at me. “Thank you. Have a good day” I said.

           “Thank you, and you too.” She replied and left, winking at Rook on the way out as her daughter scampered after,grabbing at the bag with the bunny. I watched as they left.

           “So that’s what it is.” Rook said.

           Startled I look at him. “What?”

           “Oh nothing.”

Three hours later, after no one came into the store, Rook looked at the clock. “When is lunch?”

           “Well my lunch is now and yours is in half an hour.” I replied and went to the back office. I crabbed my can of soup and emptied it into a small pot and put it on the small stove next to the sink in the large room. There was a large fridge on the other side of the stove. It was an office/break room. There was a coffee maker, a frying pan, plates and forks, and the fridge had veggies I had brought from home for my snacks. Barely anyone all day?

           I grabbed a bowl out of the cupboard and a spoon. This is going to be a very long week.