Page 22 of Written in the Stars
Once we arrive back at the store, Lissa doesn’t waste a second and gets right to work. I decide to change up the display in the front window and get the decorations ready for Valentine’s Day early. As much as it hurts seeing all the romantic items, reminding me of something that I no longer have in my life, I can’t deny the fact of how pretty they make the store look.
“I’m just going to lock myself in the back for the last few hours and finish some invoices. Do you think you can handle the store without me?” Lissa places a hand on her hip.
I give her a knowing smirk. “Of course. I’ve only been doing it for the last month or so.”
She smiles. “Good, because I have a ton of work to catch up on in the back. I’ll see you in a bit.” She makes her way to the back and closes her office door. She finds it easier to concentrate on the paperwork without being interrupted by the couple of customers that come in every now and then.
The same elderly woman that had come in around Christmastime to purchase that single ornament walks back into the store.
“Hello, ma’am. May I help you with anything today?” I ask as she walks around, taking in the new items.
“Just looking today, dear. Haven’t had a sweetheart since my precious husband, Bob, died a few years ago from testicular cancer.”
Oh, Lord. Am I ready for this conversation? Where’s Lissa when I really need her?
“I’m sorry to hear that, Mrs…”
“Mrs. Nigglenuggets, dear,” she answers.
Trying to control my laughter, I say, “Mrs. Niggle… nuggets. Right.”
She lets out a long, labored sigh. “Yes, dear. My Bob suffered for years, complaining of testicle pain for as long as I can remember.” She shakes her head. “I’ll just be around this way, looking at your new displays. You know, my Bob would always bring me home…”
It’s at that very moment as she keeps talking that everything goes into a blur for me, and I can no longer make out a word of what she’s saying. As if I’m in a dream, everything seems to become a little less clear. Everything, that is, besides the handsome stranger who keeps appearing every now and then. Fire Hottie has been invading my dreams for the past couple of weeks.
But is it real? Am I seriously seeing him walking into the store at this very moment? I quickly look outside, but I don’t see a fire or any other type of emergency going on at the apartment building across the street. In fact, he’s casually dressed in a pair of navy blue sweatpants and a white hooded sweater with the words Glimerton Fire Department etched across.
Oh my good Lord, does he make me want to lick my lips…
“Hi,” he says in his familiar husky tone, all bright eyed and smiling. I’ve been hearing his voice in my dreams as well.
Moments later, he repeats himself.
“Uh… hi?”
Shit, what’s wrong with me? “Oh, hi,” I answer, quickly coming out of my comatose dream state. Good lord, this is not going well at all.
He chuckles. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“You didn’t, no worries,” I respond, embarrassed. I fidget with some display ornaments on the shelves to look busy and not act like a complete moron, making a fool of myself.
In the background, I can hear Mrs. Nigglenuggets again going on about her beloved Bob, whom she had tragically lost to his testicular battle.
“So, can I help you with anything?” I ask, staring back intently into his gorgeous, dark eyes.
Seriously, does he have to look so damn good? His dimpled smile is not helping at all. I’m seriously going to melt.
“Actually, yeah. I was wondering if—”
“Oh, dear! Look at the time! I’ve got to run! Goodbye, dear! Goodbye!” Mrs. Nigglenuggets shouts, running out of the store, interrupting my beautiful fire hottie.
Gosh, Serenity! Stop it! You were just about to get married to someone else… Calm your hormones, woman!
“Sorry.” I smile nervously. “Mrs. Nigglenuggets is a character.”
“Nigglenuggets, huh?” he asks, chuckling to himself.
I giggle along with him. “Yeah… I don’t know. But you were saying I could help you with something today? What are you looking for exactly?”
