[chapter three]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
**
~Shea's POV~
God, I hate Faulkner.
More to the point, I hate trying to write a ten page literacy criticism of "The Sound and the Fury".
Especially when I have to stop and help a customer every 46.3 seconds.
Don't get me wrong, I like working at the Silver Spoon, but I really have to get this paper sent off today or I'm going to get docked for being late.
But I have not had time at home to work on it. That's just how it is. I can't work at home.
"Hi. Can I get a large mocha with extra sugar and foam, please?"
My head snaps up and my eyes meet his. My mind reels and I feel dizzy.
It's Wednesday! What's he doing here?!
Monday. He makes my week on Mondays.
"Uh … sure." I say, stumbling off my stool. "That'll be three … "
"Hey!" He interrupts me. "I knew I knew you!"
I turn around slowly and meet his eyes. "Sorry?" I ask.
"You had the flat tire the other night. I knew I knew you." Jimmie says with a smile. "Why didn't you say who you were?"
I shrug slightly. "I … I didn't think you'd … "
"Of course I would remember you now. You're always so nice and smiley. And you give me just the right amount of sugar. I like you." Jimmie says happily.
"I … um … " I stammer, feeling like a complete bonehead.
He said he likes me.
Should I die right here, I would die a happy woman.
"Did you get your tire fixed?" Jimmie asks, leaning across the counter as I get his coffee ready.
"Not … not yet." I say. "I haven't had time to … "
"You should. Take it to Mike's Tires. He's the best in town." Jimmie says conversationally as my hands shake when I take his money, praying he doesn't notice.
I nod. "I will. Thanks. Thanks again for helping … " Jimmie cuts me off with a wave of his hand. "Here's your change."
"Keep it." Jimmie says, taking his coffee cup. "Listen … "
I clumsily put the change in the tip jar and look up again, my breath caught painfully between my throat and my lungs. "Hmm?"
"I was wondering if you'd like to go out for coff … " Jimmie cuts himself off with a laugh. "I bet you get that all the time."
Oh yeah. Constantly flooded with coffee dates with superstars. Yep, that's me.
I shake my head no with a small smile.
"Do you … do you get a break? I have about half an hour to kill, and I don't want to just sit in my car. Can you take a break and keep me company?" Jimmie asks.
He wants to share his coffee time. With me.
Oh. My. God.
I look at him for a minute, convinced he's pulling my leg. He looks at me expectantly and I sigh slightly. "Let me … let me ask for my break. Just a sec."
"I'll be over there." Jimmie says, pointing to a small table in the corner. I nod and hurry to the back room, praying Alice can cover for my break. Or all my shifts forever if I don't survive the next 15 minutes.
"Alice … you gotta help
me!"