Boyfriend by Christmas

Chapter 2

The morning after I tell Niyata about my big plan is Saturday so nothing can be set into motion quite yet. All of the five guys on my list are guys I only really see at school.

This morning I have work. Most kids my age have jobs at fast food places or bagging groceries. I got lucky because my dad is tight with the owner of this adorable indie bookstore in town. He got me a gig working weekends and the occasional evening keeping the store organized and ringing out customers. It's basically the best job ever.

Saturdays are on the busy side but the store is small. The owner, Todd, is usually in the office doing office-y things, leaving his son Garrett and me out front keeping the store running.

"Mornin," Garrett says when I walk into the store. He holds a cup of hot chocolate out for me, the way he has every morning since we started working together a year ago. "How's the snow?"

"Still coming down," I tell him. "I heard we're due at least a few inches today."

"Think that'll make us busier or slower than usual?"

I stare out the window. The snow is so heavy I can barely see the storefront across the street. "Slower," I tell him.

"Good. We need to take inventory anyway."

I stomp out my boots and head for the bathroom. I look like a snowman in the mirror. The bookstore is only a block from my house so it's usually no problem to walk here. If the snow keeps falling, I may be sleeping in the backroom tonight. There's no way my mom is coming to get me, my dad is out of town, and I'm mad at my sister. And I really don't want to walk home in this. Even if it is just a block.

After I change out of my snow soaked clothing, I chug my hot chocolate and meet Garrett on the floor. He's standing in the front of the store staring at our "Books to Read for the Holidays!" display.

"Adding to your collection?" I ask.

Garrett grins at me. "No, but I think we need to add to ours. Why are all of our holiday book selections romances?"

"Because the holidays are romantic?"

"Not for everyone," he mumbles. "I think we should add some books that are holiday related but that aren't romances. Do those exist?"

"I have no idea," I admit. "But I'll look into it."

Garrett nods.

"Hey, speaking of holiday romances," I say. Garrett and I are in the same class at school so he might have some insight into operation BBC. It might be nice to get a guy's perspective.

"Yeah?" he asks. His cheeks look flushed but that might be because someone just opened the door. I look up and see it's Todd. He nods at both of us and wanders back to the dark abyss of his office. I didn't even know he wasn't here yet.

"I've got this plan," I tell Garrett. "To get a boyfriend by Christmas. I plan to go on a first date with a few guys and then narrow it down to the best possible choice and then date him."

Garrett turns slightly away from me. "Do you have any guys in mind?"

"Yeah, that's actually why I mentioned it." We walk towards the counter to get the inventory sheets. Garrett and I have worked together so much that we fall into this groove. We can be having a full conversation and still get work done at the same time. Magical. "I was wondering if you would look at my list and give me your thoughts."

"I don't know, Cass," he rubs the back of his neck. "I don't think I'm the best guy to..."

I pull the list out of my pocket. I don't know why I'm carrying it around. I have it memorized and it's not like I need it here. It just feels safer to keep it on me.

"That's just it. You're the best guy to do it because you're a guy and you know me. I need you to honestly tell me if I'm going to make a fool out of myself with any of them. I think a few of the guys on the list are friends of yours..."

Garrett sighs. "Fine. Give me the list."

I hand him the paper. Niyata and I have been best friends since we were in diapers but she still can't decipher my terrible handwriting. A year of inventories with Garrett and he rarely needs to ask me to translate.

"Frankie Smith?" Garrett asks, his eyebrow raised. "That guy is your type?"

I shrug. "I wouldn't say he's my type, but he's pretty cute. And we chat a lot in band."

Garrett nods, his mouth in a straight line. It's hard to tell what he's thinking. Luckily, he usually tells me what he's thinking so I won't have to guess. I'm not good at guessing games.

"Your number one choice is Thompson?"

I chew on my lip and grab for the list. Thompson and Garrett have been best friends forever. "I shouldn't have asked you your opinion..."

"Wait, Cassidy, sorry. I'm glad you asked me."

I meet his eyes. "So? What do you think? If I ask Thompson to go on a date with me, will he laugh in my face?"

Garrett blows out a big puff of air. "No, he won't laugh. He'll say yes."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I know Thompson and I know you."

My face breaks out in a grin. "Thank you," I tell him. "What about the other guys?"

"Jimmy is back with Kimmy," he tells me, confirming Niyata's suspicion. "But other than that I think any guy on this list would say yes to a date with you."

Something in Garrett's voice sounds strained but I shrug it off. The cold weather is probably just messing with him.

Garrett hands me the list back and I tuck it into my back pocket. I was a little worried about the plan, but now that I have Garrett's confirmation that I'm not going to be made a fool of, I'm super excited for Monday when I can really set things into motion.

"Thanks, Garrett. It means a lot to me." He smiles but it looks sadder than usual. "Shall we get to that inventory?"

"Yeah," he says, taking the clipboard from my hand. "Where do you want to start?"

"History," I say, making a sour face. "Get the worst subjects out of the way."

"You know I like history."

"Yes, you're an alien being to me."

Garrett laughs and he sounds perfectly normal. Maybe I was imagining those things before.

We keep up a steady conversation as we work our way around the store. Only three customers brave the snowy weather to come in and buy a book.

Todd comes out of the office at 3pm, three hours before we're supposed to close, and tells Garrett and I to start locking up. "The weather is killing us," he says. "No one is going to come in anyway. May as well close up shop."

We didn't quite finish the inventory but there will be time tomorrow to get it done, so Garrett and I divide and conquer our closing tasks the way we always do. It doesn't take us long to finish up since nothing got messed up by customers.

Back in my snowman outfit, I prepare to make the short trek back to my house.

"I can give you a ride," Garrett tells me. "I have four wheel drive. No biggie in the snow."

I shoot my mom a text telling her the snow is insane and my very responsible friend is driving me home. She responds that my friend better drive slowly and carefully, but she understands I don't want to walk home. It's like a miracle. She must be busy helping Mags plan a wedding that's almost a year away.

"Are you sure it's okay?" I ask Garrett. "It's not that far of a walk..."

He rolls his eyes. "Let me do this for you."

I don't argue again.

When we pull up in front of my house, I reach for the handle of my door but Garrett stops me with a hand on my arm. "Cass..." he starts.

"What's up?"

He pulls his hand away like he just noticed he was touching me. "Um. Just... good luck. With the guy thing. I hope it works out for you."

"Thanks," I smile. "I hope so too."