The Deal

Eleven-Imani

"My wife told me you were single," Andrew says. Immediately, I tear my eyes away from the stack of Self-Help books I just arranged on the top-row shelf. When he utters those words, my heart rate quickens. I swear I hate Krystal right now.

"Uh, yes. Unfortunately," I reply. Too bad I couldn't get to be your one true love, but you had to end up with a bitch like Krystal, I imagine myself saying. "But look at the bright side. There's nothing wrong with being alone. It has its pros."

Andrew furrows his eyebrows. "Oh, really? Imani, I know they're pros to being single, but for you, no way. You're too good to be left alone. You've got a great personality and trust me; your soulmate is out there."

I think I feel my skin heat up because I'm blushing like crazy. "Why, thanks, Mr—Andy," I mutter in a low tone that sounded a bit too husky. I better speak up like a lady before he thinks I'm flirting. I'm too overwhelmed by the compliments. I lose all self-control. "Why would you volunteer to be my boyfriend?" I stupidly ask. I slap a hand over my mouth.

"What was that?"

Think of something, think of something. "Would you please give me some ointment?" I hope to God he didn't hear the first question. I would be doomed.

"Ointment?"

"Yeah. There's an itch on my back. It's very distracting."

He lifts his brows and, by the look on his face, I'm certain I've convinced him. I'm pretty good at influencing people.

"Sorry about that," he says, patting me on the shoulder. My body shivers at his touch. I have to remind myself to stop acting like a teenage girl when I'm around my boss. The last thing I want is for Andrew to notice my crush on him. Krystal is definitely not a friendly person. Antagonizing her would give both of us problems.

"Don't worry. I'll get it for you," he says but pauses.

I hold Andrew's gaze for a few minutes. Quietly, he nods and takes out his phone.

Sliding my hands in my jeans pockets, I smile with the tilt of my head.

"I was thinking, since you don't have a partner, and you are far too beautiful not to have one, I could help you find him on a dating app."

I raise my eyebrows, and the suggestion is so laughable even I, with my lack of humor, don't find it funny.

"A dating app, boss? I mean, Andy? I used to think those work but, to be honest, I've not had much luck using them. Do they still work?"

Andrew raises his phone closer to me. "You ever heard of Tinder?"

I groan with an eye roll. "Yeah. I've forgotten how to use it."

"Really? Okay, it looks like there are a lot of things I have to teach you." Andrew shows me how to work this Tinder App and to my surprise, I'm kind of happy I never heard of this app.

"So, if I don't like the guy, I just swipe left?" I ask.

"Yes. Pretty simple, eh?"

I chuckle, twirling a strand of my brunette curly hair but our moment is cut short when the bell chimes and customers flood in.

"We'll talk about the Tinder thing later," Andrew says as he shoots me a wink and leaves. "I'll look for that ointment for you." I race back to my station; behind the desk and wait for the mother and son to come over. I can't stop smiling, because there is rarely a day this ever happens to me. My boss, who is a married man I'm head over heels for, feels sorry for me and tries to hook me up with a guy on a dating app. Is this sort of romantic? I won't have any idea; It's been years since I was in a relationship. My last guy was a living nightmare.

"Mommy, mommy, look!" the mother's son bellows as he picks up a book from the Science Fiction aisle. "I've always wanted to buy this! My friends have been talking about it-"

"No, no! That's enough!" His mother snaps. "We have quite enough books at home!" The mother drags her son right back through the door, and now I'm left with my jaw hanging.

What the hell just happened? I chuckle to myself and shake my head, then take my book about mental illness to read. I may have witnessed the funniest encounter-at-the-bookstore moment for the first time since working here. I should probably write it down in the logbook when I close.

The bell chimes again, and this time, my smile vanishes.

"Hi, Imani."

"Hi," I reply through gritted teeth.

Making her way to my desk, Krystal shoots me a smile and rests her elbows down. Her heavenly, rosy perfume and lotion linger in my nostrils. "What book you reading?"

I want to close the book, but I look at her. "It's just something to keep me busy. Nothing thrilling."

She purses her lips. "Look, I just stopped by to say I was serious when I said you've done a great job helping the business me and my hubby had started. I came here to say this. I like you, Imani."

I raise my eyebrows. "I see."

"Andrew doesn't compliment his employees like he does with you. By the look of things, I believe the three of us can be good friends. In fact, I officially welcome you as a friend of our family. What do you say we host a little party to honor you? Would it be okay?"

I think about it for some minutes. Maybe this party she wants to throw may be my chance of getting to know Krystal and not keep my assumptions of her being a total diva. But then I remember the one rule I made when I moved in here with my kids; do not have a social life, or else he might find out. I should remember he's watching me everywhere I go. He could easily tell the friends I mingle with my deepest secret.

"Well?" Krystal asks, and I zone out of thought.

"Um, no thanks. Sorry. It would be fun, but I prefer we wait a few months later to see if we could get close like that." I shoot her a smile.

Krystal sighs and smiles back. "Definitely. But I'd like to really get to know you."

"Me too," I reply, flicking the page of my book.

"I have a group of girls who, I'm sure, would love you. But first, why don't we make a deal?"

"Oh, sure."

She comes closer and shuts my book with her left hand. "Stay the hell away from Andrew. Do not make friends with him. Do not flirt with him. Do not ogle him. He's a married man. And you're his employee. You work for us. And remember, you work for me. One little sign of you breaking my rule, and I'll sweet talk Andrew to kick you out? We clear?"

She takes a step back, looks me up and down, and tears her eyes from me, cat walking towards the door with pure confidence. I'm left standing there, with my eyes narrowed at the door. I've hated no one in my life, like how I do with my boss's wife. I moved here with my children just so I could stay away from Bill. If this Krystal wants to make my work difficult, then she's declared war. I won't hesitate to take action.

How do you like this chapter?