Bookstore princess

Chapter 7

Nadia

Alone at last. The day has been crazy busy and the only thing I can think of is a hot bubble bath and to text James as we agreed. One thing that caught me off guard today, was I received an anonymous gift of groceries that Jacob took upstairs to my apartment and put away. I asked for the receipt, but there's no name on it at all. Thanks to this grand gesture I make a quick supper and sit down with Melody who is more than happy with her dish of wet food for the evening. Jacob and Jenny had stayed until closing time tonight before leaving, for that I was grateful. We divided the cleaning, and counting of the tills between the three of us and we were done in record timing. I'm still working on the same book since today has been so crazy from the start. I take a moment to read it while I'm eating, and then I clean up the dishes and pile them by the sink to do the first thing in the morning. I tidy up the apartment a little on both floors so it doesn't look too much like a mess and head to my room to grab a tank top and fresh panties. My only intention is to have a bubble bath and text with James.
I barely have the tub filled when I hear my phone ping. I giggle and finish getting undressed and get in under the bubbles before grabbing my phone.

James: How was work, baby doll?
Nadia: Work was very busy, but we got everything done in record time for closing. :) How was work for you today?
James: The highlight of my day was seeing you ;)
Nadia: That was my highlight too. <3 How is Fang?
James: He's good, he's with Steve right now. What are you up to?
Nadia: A good old bubble bath :) Much needed, my legs and feet are sore.
James: Want me to come over and rub them better? ;)
Nadia: No no! LOL. My apartment is such a mess. Besides, we haven't even been on the first date yet.
James: Official date. Me coming to see you, even though it's limited, is kind of a date ;)
Nadia: You can't include those as dates :O
James: I have been.
Nadia: How many siblings do you have?
James: Just my little brother Steve. He's a year younger than me. What about you? Any siblings?
Nadia: No, just me and my mom left now really.
James: What's your favorite color?
Nadia: Pink, and yours?
James: That pretty blue of your eyes :)
Nadia: Charmer. What's your favorite place in the world?
James: I'd say that back corner of Potions that we keep sitting in.
Nadia: I'm serious :(
James: Out in the woods, I feel free. What about you?
Nadia: On my mom's porch swing. She lives in a remote area, so it's peaceful.
James: I'll build you a house with a porch swing <3
Nadia: Let's get the first date over first, charmer.
James: Third. Fourth if you include tonight ;)
Nadia: In other news, tomorrow is supposed to be busier so I might not have time to text with you too much.
James: I'll probably drop in around lunch time to see how you're doing.
Nadia: LoL, you can't keep dropping by. You have things to do as well!
James: Anything else happen today?
Nadia: Now that you mention it, yes. Someone anonymously sent me hundreds of dollars worth of groceries.
Nadia: Do you have anything to do with that?
James: It's anonymous, you'll never know.
Nadia: Strange thing about this, is there are three more clamshells of strawberries.
James: Did you ask your mom?
Nadia: She doesn't have the extra money to do that, and if she did, she would tell me.
James: Steve said you didn't get to go do your groceries this morning because of the building getting defaced. Consider it a thank you for watching Fang.
Nadia: I don't know what to say. Thank you! At least let me pay you back.
James: I'd be insulted. I won't say no to another hug, maybe a kiss on the cheek?
Nadia: Are you asking or being hopeful?
James: Maybe a little bit of both!
Nadia: I'll consider it. You do give good hugs :)
James: How is the water?
Nadia: Getting cold :( I have to put you down for a few minutes to take a shower and get ready for bed.
James: That's okay, I'll let you go for the night. Thank you for the texting date <3 :)
Nadia: Thank you, this was wonderful. <3 :)
James: I'll see you tomorrow!
Nadia: I'll keep an eye out for you :)

I look at my phone and realize I texted with him more than I normally would anyone without sending a meme here or there. I unplug the tub before turning on the shower and washing my hair, and body down. When I get out I dry off as best as I can and get an impish thought. I put on my clothes and take a quick selfie with a smile on my face and send it to James. He sends one right back with the biggest grin on his face and a heart emoji.
Yeah, I could get used to this. Not only is he everything I've been looking for so far, he's also looking out for me. I've never had someone else buy me groceries besides my mom before. Jacob and Jenny once when I had Covid and couldn't leave the house, but that was before we all moved to this little town a little over three months ago and started our business. Before we even moved to town we started five months before that working on getting the space ready, and the travel to town took up too much time. Jacob decided to move first, bringing his wife and kids to Springfield. Next came Jenny. I was last to move, but we had also agreed that I would move into the two upper floors. Jenny technically moved into a cabin just outside of town where it's a bit quieter. She's renting it for the moment, but I know she's planning on making an offer to buy it once we are all in a better financial situation. That's why she usually goes home a bit earlier than us, she has to worry about wildlife on the roads. Jacob normally stays later, but sometimes he goes home early. Both of them start a bit earlier than I do most days, and I usually stay a bit later. I'm a staircase away from home, so it only makes sense.
I take out my phone and look at James' selfie one last time before I get under the covers in bed. I turn on some music and after a lot of overthinking, I finally go to bed.