Before I Met You

Chapter 11

Standing at my desk as I accumulated children's literature into large brown boxes. Every year for Christmas my grandmother and I would drop off books to the local Elementary school. It was something my father always did and when he died my grandmother continued the tradition.

Now with my grandmother's health declining it was my responsibility to keep it alive. "Hey." Dylan walked up to my desk as I nearly jumped out of my skin. "Sorry." He chuckled as I held my racing heart. "Hi." I looked up at him in annoyance. "I didn't hear you come in." I neatly stacked the heavy books in the boxes.

"What are you doing today?" Dylan asked, watching me tape up the box. "I have to run an errand for my grandmother. The usual." I answered without looking at him. I didn't want Dylan to get used to me and thinking just because we ate together meant we were best friends.

"Sounds exciting." He replied, making me glare at him trying to fight a smile. "Extremely." I replied sarcastically as Dylan smiled. "I actually was wondering if you were hiring. Seems I'm going to be here longer than I thought and I'll need some money to stay afloat." Dylan said as I opened another box to continue the process.

"And you want to work here?" I asked skeptical as he walked around the desk closer to me. "Sure. Why not?" He asked, shoving his hands in his dark jeans, tensing his biceps under his jacket.

"Um, well." I struggled to speak as I tore my eyes away from him. "There really isn't much to do here to excuse hiring someone. We aren't doing as great as we used to. People don't really read anymore, go figure." I moved away from him to grab some more books as an excuse to put distance between us.

"But I know that Cyrus is looking for help. He owns the coffee shop down the street." I suggested my back towards him as I picked up the stack of books from the table. "And now we're going to need a new mechanic after that man's death." I spoke hesitantly.

After reading about the incident in the newspaper I realized I was wrong about placing the blame on Dylan. I was previously unsure if Dylan had anything to do about it since he was the last person to see him alive. But now knowing it was another freak animal attack I decided to let it go.

"If you happen to know anything about cars." I turned around holding the heavy stack of books. His soft brown eyes were fixed on me, making my heart flutter for a moment. Shoving the strange feelings aside as I continued to work. "Unfortunately I don't."

"And I don't know anything about making coffee either." Dylan answered. "But this looks easy enough. Stacking books all day and greeting customers, I could do that in my sleep." He added looking around the empty store.

"I don't know-" I began as I focused all my attention onto him. "Hey, if you don't think I've contributed anything after a week of working here then you can fire me." Dylan negotiated as I thought about it for a moment silently debating it.

"I'll have to bring it up with my grandmother. It's her store and her decision on who we hire." I finally spoke silently hoping my grandmother would be against it. "Alright." Dylan replied although I noticed that he was optimistic about my response.

Grabbing my coat and purse to leave with the heavy boxes. "So, what's this errand you have to do?" Dylan asked as he picked up the other box and followed me as I left the store. "You don't have to come with me." I said as I locked the doors. I placed a sign out telling any potential customers that I would be back soon.

"I know I don't have too." He replied as I looked over at him peculiarly. "Don't you have anything better to do on a Saturday?" I asked him as we stood outside the store. "No, not really. My father's in town and I really don't want to be around him." Dylan confessed, effortlessly holding the heavy box under his arm as I struggled with my own.