Booked on a Lie

October 24th - The day we met

It was a crisp autumn morning. I got a caramel cappuccino and toast for breakfast before I headed to work.

“Good morning, Ms. Kim.” I greeted.

“Oh, good morning, Kami.” She replied, looking up.

As always, I walked to the back of the building through the employees-only door, but today was different. I work at Barnes and Nobles on Fifth Avenue in New York. My parents own a small restaurant way outside of town. I am studying Korean Lit. at NYU. I hung my coat up and set my purse in my locker before putting on my badge and lanyard.

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“Your total is $48.14,” I said as the customer put their card in the reader. “Thank you for shopping with us. Next”

“Hello.” I froze. I know that voice. I looked up and saw a customer. Although, his hair was amazing. God, my brain is so dumb. I started scanning his books and noticed he was getting Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone. I smiled.

“This is a great book,” I told him. He was tall, with curly brown hair and blue eyes. I continued scanning the books and placing them in bags.

“I know.” He replied. His eyes shrunk.

“Your total is $114.48, Cash or Card?” I asked him.

“Card.” His voice, assertive.

“Thank you for shopping with us.” I thanked him and handed him his bag of books. I watched as he left the bookstore. 

“I’m going on break,” I yelled. I locked the cash register and walked to the back of the building. I swear I know him from somewhere. Then my phone rang.

“Hello?” I wondered who called me at 9 in the morning.

“Hey, bestie, remember that favor you owe me?” Brookie asked.

“Brooke, it's 9 in the morning. What do you need? I'm at work.” I replied.

“Do you remember that favor you owe me?” She repeated.

I sighed, “Yes, I remember.”

“Good, because I need you to use it right now. My parents set me up on another blind date you know how I feel about them. Will you please go for me?” She pleaded.

“Brooke, I’ve been on 3 in the past two months,” I exclaimed.

“But you know how to get them to never call me again.” She argued.

“Fine, but I refuse to wear another dress.”

“Deal. It's tonight at 7 Ai Fiori. I’ll have Martin drop you off."

“Ai Fiori, that's the fancy restaurant you can never get into.”

“Yep, I’ll talk to you later. Love you, bye.” She hung up. I sighed and put my phone in my pocket.