Eddy looked back at Brett like a lost puppy when he began to walk away. At least he walked him to the store, but Eddy would miss him! Was he a healthy functioning adult, no. Because he was too dependent on Brett. Eddy wanted to be better, there was just so much junk he had to deal with.
He looked away from Brett's disappearing form. Then opened the door to the bookstore. He peeked inside carefully to make sure it was safe. When he was assured it was pretty empty he stepped inside. He could do this! It was minimal human interaction.
At the same time, a tall man with a somewhat clumsy step came around the shelf to the right of the checkout counter. He ran a hand through his light brown hair and gave his new customer a smile.
"Hi there! Welcome," he said cheerily with a genuine smile. "Can I help you with anything?"
Eddy visibly jumped a little when a random man appeared from behind the bookshelves. He paused though realizing the man was a worker and not a threat, "Oh, actually I'm here to pick up a book."
He had the receipt, he was sure he did at least.
"Oh, sorry, didn't mean to scare you," the worker said, his smile shifting to an apologetic one. "Pick up a book, huh? Alright, join me at the cash register and I'll get that sorted for you."
He walked ahead, almost tripping over a cardboard box, but somehow catching himself. He paused to push it aside to keep Eddy from tripping before continuing.
Eddy was going to pretend he didn't see the man almost trip, not wanting him to feel embarrassed, "It's okay, I'm a bit jumpy in general."
He shuffled to the cash register as he searched his pockets.
"That's understandable, especially around London," the guy smiled as he stepped around to be behind the register. "Do you have the receipt, or should I look it up by name?"
"Maybe by name, I'm not sure where I placed the receipt. It's under Belle Chen," Eddy said softly, he was pretty sure he forgot it after finding empty pockets.
"The mysterious Belle Chen, huh?" the worker chuckled softly, typing it into the computer. "Always ordering online and having someone else pick it up for her."
"Really?" Eddy chuckled a little himself, "I guess she's gotten busier over the years."
He said the last part to himself, since he shouldn't be spilling too much to strangers. Especially about his sister, then again she was a notable newcomer so some people in the niche probably knew who she was already.
"It certainly does seem like it, she's been ordering less the last few months," the guy chuckled, turning to the shelf behind him where orders were stacked, looking through them. "You're a new one, though, right? I've never seen you pick up anything for her."
"I am, probably because I just moved back here recently," Eddy still somehow let personal information slip. It was an amazement that he had done spy work and was able to keep his mouth shut. Or not let top secret information casually slip.
"Oh yeah? Is it the case I'll get to see you again in the future?" the worker asked, turning his head for a moment to look him over with a smile. "You seem nice, so I know I'd like that, at least."
Eddy didn't understand why he felt his cheeks warm up at that comment. It wasn't blush worthy and he had a boyfriend he loved, so why was he feeling all shy at the gentle kindness, "I imagine you'll see me again. I was thinking of expanding my book collection, so coming here would make sense. It seems like a quaint bookshop."
"We do have quite a big collection here, so anything you'd potentially want will be here," the guy chuckled softly. "But since I'll be seeing you more, I suppose it'd be good to introduce myself right?"
He finally found the book Belle had ordered on the shelf and pulled it out before turning around, offering his hand to his customer.
"I'm Matt. What's your name?"
"I'm Eddy, nice to meet you Matt." Eddy smiled a little at him as he took the book, "Maybe you have some good book recommendations. I planned on browsing a little."
