PURE HONEY | spencer agnew

1.29

   LAYLA SAT UP AT the register, head in her hand as she wrote down future orders in a notebook. It was Monday morning, and she was the only one working as service was very slow. She was exhausted, already wanting to go home even though the store had only been open for an hour.

   The front door chimed, causing Layla to sigh out loudly. "Welcome in." She said, continuing her thoughts down onto the notebook sat in front of her.

   It's not that she wanted to seem ungrateful for her customers and seem uninterested in her business, there was just a lot to do with holidays coming up soon. It was still the beginning of September, but this is the time when stores started preparing for Halloween, and then the holidays that just never stop.

   "You sound very excited to have this job." The familiar voice sounded right in front of her on the other side of the counter. Layla's head snapped up, and there stood Spencer. "What if I was a random customer?"

   "Well I thought you were a random customer. So, what does that tell you?" Layla jokes, going back to her notebook.

   Spencer shrugged, although Layla couldn't see it. "Not sure. Anyway, I promise I came here for an actual reason."

   Layla put her hand out, "Continue."

   "So, this weekend is Arasha's birthday dinner, party, thing, I don't really know what it is. Anyway, would you want to come with me?" Spencer asked, leaning over the counter.

   Layla gasps. "Are you asking me out on a date? I have a boyfriend, you know."

   "You're sounding very Lorelai Gilmore right now." Spencer laughed. "Do you want to go with me? It's at seven on Saturday."

   "Big compliment, thank you. And sure, I'd like to go." Layla leaned forward, giving him a quick kiss.

   The front door chimed again, causing Spencer to back up and both of them looking towards the door. It was just another customer, so Spencer turned back to her as she shrugged her shoulders.

   "So, did you stop by just to ask me to go with you? Because you could've called, texted. I know you have to work." Layla chuckled, closing her notebook and putting her pen back in the cup by the register.

   Spencer nodded, moving out of the way as one of the customers made their way up to the register. "Yeah, I have to head back anyway. I'm technically not supposed to be here."

   Layla laughed, "You're going to get yourself fired. Leaving work to see your girlfriend?" She redirected her gaze to the customer. "Did you find everything alright today?"

   The customer just gave a small, almost nonexistent nod, not bothering to make eye contact with Layla. She gave Spencer a look as he tried to hold back a laugh at the awkward interaction. She rolled her eyes in response, finishing the transaction, then the customer left.

   "I get not liking to talk in public, but just not even acknowledging me?" Layla said with a confused tone, resting her elbow on the counter and her head in hand. "Maybe I should just get a self checkout and sit in the back all day."

   Spencer playfully rolled his eyes. "You're so overdramatic."

   "And you love it." Layla exaggerated, leaning forward with a smile and kissing Spencer. "Okay but seriously, shouldn't you get back to work?"

   Spencer groaned, dropping his head. "Yes, technically I should."

   Layla chuckled again, grabbing his jacket gently and kissing him again, softer and sweeter. She pulled away, looking at him with a smile. "I love you."

   "I love you too."

   The work day finally ended, relieving Layla of her exhaustion that only seemed to hit while at work. She finally got rid of the silent drives, this time playing 'Dear Evan Hansen' on the way home, singing along to every word.

   As she got out of the car, the sun finally dipping below the horizon, Layla realized how chilly it was getting in Los Angeles. There was a slight breeze, and finally that fall air was prominent. Even though it was now mid November, the cool weather finally arrived and decided to stay.

   Layla went up to the fifth floor of the building, walking groggily to her apartment, allowing herself in. She dropped her purse and water down on the kitchen counter, taking her phone out of her back pocket and laying across the couch.

   Her phone chimed signaling a text from Spencer, just reminding her that he was heading over soon. Layla smiled to herself, responding quickly, then dropping her phone down by her side and picking up the TV remote.

   Even though she had just turned on the TV, she ignored it as she grabbed her laptop off the coffee table, sitting up and setting it on her lap. She opened it up and opened Amazon, beginning to browse gifts for Arasha.

   Everything Layla's eyes saw, she didn't want to get for her. She only knew so much about her, so had no idea. At this point she was getting a headache, so she sat the laptop back in its original spot and grabbed herself some ibuprofen from the kitchen cabinet.

   Just as she took a sip of her water, a knock sounded from the front door. Layla sighed out, running a hand through her hair, then opened the front door. "What do I get Arasha for her birthday?"

   Layla barely made eye contact before turning on her heel back to the couch. She resumed her previous position of sitting down with her laptop. Spencer closed the front door behind himself, beginning to walk over to Layla. "One more time?"

   "What do I get Arasha for her birthday? What does she like?" Layla sighed out as Spencer sat next to her.

   Spencer shrugged, "I don't know. Why don't I just get something and put your name on it?"

   Layla nodded her head no, finally looking over in his direction. "I have to get her something. I can't be a plus one and not get her anything. When is her actual birthday?"

   "Not for at least a month. December 21st. But because of people flying back home for the holidays and everything soon, she wanted to celebrate early. Damien's birthday is soon, too." He said, putting an arm around her shoulders. "Plus, you were kind of last minute invited– completely my fault. Just say you didn't have time to get her anything."

   "Books. Does she like books? I own a bookstore." Layla said, beginning to look up some current popular books.

   Spencer took the laptop and closed it. Layla gawked at him as he moved it off her lap and onto the other side of him on the couch. "Come on, how about Saturday morning or afternoon, we go to your store and pick out something for Arasha?"

   She stared at him trying to think of a proper response. He was looking for a sign of anything on her face, but she just continued to stare. "So..."

   "Fine." Layla scoffed, breaking eye contact. "Ugh, I hate last minute gift shopping."

   "It'll be fine. Come on, we can keep watching Gilmore Girls." Spencer said, grabbing the blanket off the back of the couch.

   Her temporary bad attitude went away immediately, leaning into her boyfriend. "This is why I love you."