The Love of Jury Duty

Lunch Surprise

"Ugggh that case is so empty." I groaned

"You got this." Kelly smirked

"Yeah easy for you to say. You're just doing special orders all day. I'm so anxious to get out of here!!"

"Why?" She laughed

"Ummm...I'm going somewhere after work. And I'm excited and nervous. I can't wait."

"With whom and where??"

"With Nick and I don't know yet. I'm going to the freezer. Need anything??"

"Woah wait a second. Who is Nick? Wait jury duty Nick?"

"Yep. Let me go bring up some boxes of cake and we can talk while we work."

I went to the freezer and collected my speed rack and four boxes of cake rounds and made my way back up to the front. I started making raspberry cakes and I looked over at Kelly who was standing there looking at me

"What?"

"Is it jury duty Nick?"

"Yes. It's jury duty Nick. What?"

"I don't know. I didn't know you guys were talking let alone hanging out."

"I mean it's our first time hanging out. Just as friends. Just catching a bite and hanging out."

We were all having a great time. Cel, Adrian and I loved to sing and we all cracked completely inappropriate jokes when working. We acted like a bunch of dirty minded 13 year old boys and it made the day fun.

"Lilly I totally thought of you yesterday!" Celly laughed

"Oh god. Why!?"

"I was watching TV and flipped through a movie and 'All Cried Out' came on. And I thought damn! I can hear her singing it now."

I laughed and nod

"We need to have a karaoke night"

"Hell no! I'll watch you do it." She laughed

I laughed and continued making cakes. I was having a good day. It was fun for once. But my mind was so focused on Nick and what was happening after work. What was I going to wear???

"I'm going to lunch!"

Kelly called out before walking out of the department. My mind wandered as I started filling the Sprinkle cake. I smiled mindlessly filling and crumb coating the cakes thinking about Nick and how sweet he was. His lingering side hug and the smell of his cologne. His smirking smile and how it would scrunch up his eyes slightly.

Suddenly Adrian, Celly and I burst into "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid. Maybe we sang a little louder than we should, but we had a lot of fun singing together and being goofy.

Half way through the song Adrian stops singing and gasps

"Ohhh he's exquisite!"

"Who? Where?"

I turned around to his table and went over

"At the case. Do you think he needs help?"

I looked up at the case and grinned wide, laughed slightly and blushed. What is he doing here??

"Sorry Adrian. That's mine."

I took off my apron and walked over to the walk space between the case and cookie display

"Well, hello. How did you know where I work? Have you been checking up on me??" I teased

He laughed and nod "it's only fair right??"

"Right." I grinned blushing "so what brings you by?"

"Two things. One...when is your break? And two the time and location for later."

"OH" I smiled "well, my break can be now, but I need to clock out for it and it's only for 30 mins. And two..."

"Number two can wait. Go clock out."

This was a great surprise. I took off my hat and went to the time clock and clocked out for lunch. I wanted to run or skip. I wanted to hug him so badly. You couldn't wipe the smile off of my face. I had to keep reminding myself this wasn't anything more than a friendship thing. There was no affection. There were no feelings supposed to be attached. Just two friends hanging out.

We grabbed a couple sandwiches from the deli and bottles of water before heading out to sit at the tables out front. I was super shy to eat in front of other people but I was going to suck it up

"I'm glad you came to visit. That's very nice."

"It was entertaining."

How long were you standing there?" I gasped

"Long enough." He laughed "you have a nice voice."

"Oh please" I blushed "I like this casual 'I just got out of bed' look you have going on."

"It's better than the get up you have on." He teased taking a bite

"Yes, but I had no choice. You did." I laughed

"I'm really glad you want to be friends. I was worried you wouldn't want to after you came to my work."

"Huh? But I offered..."

"Yeah I know but Mike kind of blurted out the whole married thing and I could feel it take the wind out of your sails. I didn't want to hurt your feelings."

"Yeah, but Nick I knew when I went there you were married. I just have a lot going on. I didn't mean to have a reaction in any particular way. I'm glad we're friends."

"Me too."

He smiled finishing his sandwich. I finished mine and checked the clock. It was the fastest 30 minute break of my life.

"I've got 5 minutes left. So when and where later? If you're still up for it."

"Of course I am. I was thinking 5 at the Galleria."

"All the way out there?"

"Yeah. I like it better out there. More to do and more places to eat."

"Sure. I'll be there at 5. How will I find you?"

"Oh!? You mean your radar isn't honed in on me yet?" He laughed

"Ummmm.....no" I blushed looking down shyly

"Park by the Cheesecake Factory. I'll wait out front unless you beat me there then you wait for me."

"Ok." I laughed "I dunno what I'm wearing though."

"Don't worry. You're not easy to miss. I'm wearing a purple button down shirt later..just in case you wanna know."

I blushed and looked down shyly as he chuckled.

"So I'll see you later. Don't forget." He smiled

"I won't." I mumbled "see you later."

He smiled walking away and waved slightly. It was so hard not to catch feelings. He was flirty and sweet and everything about him just made me swoon.