letters from a hopeless romantic

#3

dear someone,

next time came and that occasion has arrived. one of your employees had texted me to help cover a shift and while i was wary since i had to work my own home store that night, i went anyway. and it was worth it, it was more time with you. 

though it was short lived, i was grateful for anything i had available. the time for me to leave came fast like a curveball. but in an excuse to talk to you, i casually brought up lunch and pulled one of my tricks out of thin air. i asked where i should eat and what i should order. while you seemed hesitant, you participated nonetheless. 

a couple days later, i worked yet another popup shift, and you proceeded to ask me how my food was. i giggled and told you it was great and thank you for participating. 

this was a quiet weekend, so we mainly goofed off. i grabbed my wallet and walked out to grab a snack, but you handed me your credit card and asked me to grab you a soda. i bought you a soda but not with your credit card. which you figured out quickly when you didn't get an alert from your banking app. i ripped open my bag of gummy bears and offered some to you, only taking a few. 

throughout the afternoon, i snacked on them, grabbing a small handful with each passing of the countertops. hours later when things settled, they were rested right next to me, as i had to take a break from the sugar. tasking at my own pace, i was in my own little world, you passed behind me to get to my side of the room, pacing a few times. on your last round you stopped to help yourself to more gummies. i geeked to myself at the fact that you felt comfortable enough to not ask first, not that i would've cared. i could get used this thing. my shift ended and i had to leave, but gave the rest to you to have. sort of like a parting gift.

time between had come and gone; cut to a month later, you had no help to work one random september evening and you dial my store in a panic, asking around for volunteers to come help you. luckily i was getting off early and offered my time. i jogged out to my car and made my way to yours. pulling into the lot 10 minutes later, i skip happily inside to see you were in fact all by yourself. i swung the door open to hear words i never thought i would, a sigh of relief came out of you before exclaiming, "man am i glad to see you!!". that made my heart skip a beat. to my luck, the night wasn't too hectic and you were able to teach me a few things on the computer i had not learned yet. the store was quiet with exception of the radio playing in the background and the beeps from the register up front. 

you had me follow you around the small space while walking me through the new task. talking to me, step by step about the procedure. but what caught my attention is when you showed me something on the screen, you'd look back at me to make sure i was understanding it, and make eye contact. but with every stopping glance, your sentences would taper off from the intense eye contact. the tension was undeniable. till next time.

sincerely, me