"Oh my God, stop it! Dad! You're embarrassing me!" I heard a loud whisper across the boutique. I had seen the father daughter duo enter when they walked through the door, ringing the bell attached to it. They walked in quickly and seemed to be on a mission.
It's a slow day in my boutique, but it always is on Mondays. Girls are in school, and most women are at work or busy getting their household together. Due to this reason I'm generally the onky person on staff Monday mornings.
My boutique is named Just For You. It's a store for lingerie as well as basic undergarments. My goal was to make undergarments that are both affordable and cute for all sizes, not to mention functional. The community here welcomed me with open arms, and I've been thriving ever since.
"I don't know what you want from me." His loud voice seemed to echo throughout the store. "You tell me you're embarrassed that you're the last of your friends to need a bra. Somehow, that's my fault. Now I take you to buy a bra, and you won't stop yelling at me!"
"Dad!" The girl whisper-yelled, and I heard her stomp her foot.
This man is about to dig himself into a hole that he can't get out of. Quickly, I walked over to the two of them, both standing beside a rack of lingerie that was clearly a little out of this girl's age range.
"Hey, dad," I interrupted with a smile. I had to hold back the giggle that was trying to errupt as both of their cheeks flamed up. "Why don't you go wait at the sitting area at the front, and I'll help out with the shopping."
"No, I,"
"For the love of everything good, please go away, dad," the girl muttered into her hands.
"Okay, I'll just be at the front then," he sighed finally.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of her." I gave me a reassuring squeeze on his arm before turning my attention to the girl and introducing myself.
"My name is Love," she said shyly, looking anywhere but my face.
"Well, Love, let's start with your measurements!" I pulled the tape measure from around my neck and led her over to the mirror. I instructed her on how to hold her posture before measuring her as fast as possible, trying to save her from the embarrassment I know she's feeling.
"Okay," I started, "It looks like you'll need a 34A,"
"Umm, my best friend wears a C cup," the girl interrupted, scratching the back of her neck.
"That size would be too big for you," I told her with an apologetic tone. "You're still young, though. They have time to grow, I promise!"
She scowled, looking at the lacy scraps of fabric on the table next to her.
"I'm 14, and it took me that long to get this much. Just last year, I was as flat chested as a ten year old boy. " She looked sadly down at her torso.
"I can understand how stressful it can be to feel like you're running behind everyone else your age, but you are still in the early stages of puberty! There is a good chance you're going to develop more. Besides, if you're wearing the right equipment, you'll be able to feel confident no matter what!" I gestured to the bras behind me and couldn't help the victory I felt as she looked at them curiously.
I gave her a nude t-shirt bra to try on, just to make sure the size was right. After that confirmation was when the fun began. I couldn't help the smile on my face as I saw her dad peaking around the corner every time he heard her giggle.
After about forty-five minutes of helping Love shop, she was ready to check out, and once I had the clothes in a bag, she finally allowed her father to join us.
"Thank you so much for your help," he said for the tenth time as he slid his card into the card reader.
"It's really no problem," I assured once more, handing him his receipt. He stood there awkwardly for a moment, staring at the receipt in his hands.
"Love, why don't you grab a coffee across the street really quick?" He suggested, looking at his daughter.
"But we got coffee this," her voice slowly faded away before her eyes bounced between me and her father. A wide smile covered her face and she grabbed the bag from the counter. "Okay! I'll be just next door!"
She jumped up and kissed his cheek before darting out the door, the bell jingling behind her.
"Why do I get the feeling she knows something that I don't?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It seems like she knows more than the both of us right now," he laughed, that pink returning to his cheeks. "I was going to ask if maybe you wanted to go to dinner sometime?"
"Mom isn't involved?" I asked quietly, "I'm sorry I have to ask."
The last time I assumed a dad was single when asking me out was a mistake I wouldn't make again. It wasn't worth the heartbreak and drama.
"No, she passed when Love was young," he said with a sad look in his eyes.
"I'm so sorry," I said sympathetically, now hating that I had asked the question.
"No worries, I understand why you had to ask."
A moment of silence fell between us, and I quickly cleared my throat before speaking.
"Umm, it's a yes to dinner if that's still on the table," I said hopefully.
"Really?" He asked, face brightening. "Okay. Well, here is my contact information, and we can set something up?"
"I'd like that a lot," I laughed, taking the business card from his hand, "Thor?"
"Yes! I'm Thor! Sorry, I probably should've led with that." He seemed to be stuck with a permanent blush on his face.
"Really, don't worry about it," I laughed, giving my name in return.
"Okay," he let out a deep breath, "I guess I'll see you soon?"
"You will," I confirmed.
He shyly waved goodbye as he exited the boutique, and it took everything in me not to melt at the action. I could hardly wait to call and set up this date.
