Colours

3.

The familiar chime of the bell rang and I looked up as usual, thinking that it was Aunt Emily that normally came around this time. Unfortunately or fortunately, I'm not sure, but Joshua walked through the glass doors smiling at me.

"Hey." He ran his fingers through his hair and looked at me. "About yesterday."

I raised an eyebrow. "Sir, would you like to buy anything?" I tried to say as nonchalantly as possible as I tried to steady my voice as much as possible while I wiped my sweaty palms on my sweater and crossed my arms.

"Look, Kristen. Just, give me a chance to talk. Please. It wasn't how you think it is. I loved you...I mean I still love you and the reason I broke up was for your own good. Please, give me a chance to tell you everything," Joshua pleaded, unknowingly showing those puppy eyes that I could never resist, whether it was in the past or present.

At that very moment, I saw Aunt Emily beaming at me and waving her hand near the door as she got closer. I smiled back at her but Joshua thought I was smiling at him, which he gave an excited one in return.

"Not you," I said, pointing a finger at Aunt Emily behind him. Once he looked behind him, his face fell.

I sighed, shaking my thoughts away. "Look. You can't just come into my store and try to talk explain some long story to me. I have customers and I need to attend to them. And as I can obviously see that you don't plan on buying anything, I'll go and help my customers that actually plan to buy something."

"But-"

"If you really have something to tell me," I started, "I guess you can meet me here at 8 tonight?"

Once I finished my sentence, Joshua jumped for joy, cheering and laughing, reminding me of the night he confessed to me and when he asked me to be his girlfriend. I gave a nostalgic smile as Joshua turned around to face me after doing a dorky dance.

"See you tonight!" He grinned, winking at me as he started briskwalking to the door, nodding happily at Aunt Emily on the way.

After Joshua left, Aunt Emily walked towards me, giving me a cheeky smile. "Who was that handsome young man?" she asked, putting her arms on the counter and resting her head on her hands, clearly expecting a long detailed story.

"It was nothing, Aunt Emily," I ducked my head down, embarrassed.

"Oh dear, just call me Em," she patted my arm lightly. "And if you don't want to talk about it, it's fine."

She was always so understanding.

"Now, do you have any recommendations for today? The daffodils I bought a few weeks ago just died," she sighed.

I smiled excitedly. "Sure, this way." Thank goodness for that change in topics.