SUMMER
Summer walks into work to discover that Anthony is already there, standing leaned against the door frame the small shop. He has his arms crossed over his chest and instead of his regular suit and tie he’s wearing a tee-shirt and jeans along with one of Steven’s aprons. He grins as soon as he sees her and straightens up.
“And how are you today my fair lady?” He says with a playful bow.
Summer raises an eyebrow at him. “Why are you in one of Steven’s aprons.”
His grin widens. “I ignored your advice. I’m borrowing one of his until I get my own.”
“As in…” Summer trails off realizing what he means.
“I work here now,” he says cheerfully.
“Why?” her question sounds more cynical than she means it to.
“Well, law firms don’t like it when you testify against them so even if I wanted to go back to working there I couldn’t, and Sunset said she’d kick me out of the apartment if I kept freeloading. I just can't use the money from my richie bitchie family. So ta-da!”
“Well welcome to pollen hell,” Summer says ignoring the tilting up of her lips.
“You mean heaven right? This place is so much better than the law firm.”
“I believe you there, but this place is still awful.”
“Only if you make it,” Anthony says and pushes the shop door open for her. Summer notices for the first time the assortment of bracelets accompanying his watch on his left wrist. They span a good four inches up his forearm. From what she can see, most of them are thick leather bands with fascinating swirl designs engraved in them, he has a few string bracelets taken straight out of friendship band booklet, and a few others with beads. It seems to be an exciting wrist while the other is completely bare. She remembers from their first meeting that his left wrist was the one she had caught a glimpse of a scar on and can’t help but wonder if he’s trying to hide it.
“Are you going to go in? Or shall I hold the door all day?” He says patently, interrupting her thoughts.
“Oh, you can keep holding it,” Summer says.
“As you wish.”
“Should I call you farm boy?” she jokes
"Nah, hottie can do" he jokes accompanying with his handsome smirk
Summer’s about to respond when Steve interrupts her. “I don’t pay you two to stand around and talk all day.
“Well, I guess that’s our starting bell,” Anthony says beckoning her inside. “Whoever greets the most customers buys drinks at the end of the day.”
“What?” Summer calls after in confusion as he grabs a broom and slips down one of the isles.
“You heard me!” Anthony calls gleefully over his shoulder.
~~~
ANTHONY
“Ten to nothing,” Anthony announces as he catches up to Summer on the sidewalk.
“You’re just a better customer service person I guess,” Summer says with a shrug.
“Well that’s a given,” Anthony says, hoping she’ll take the bate. “I mean it’s obvious.”
“I know what you’re trying to do,” Summer says flatly.
“It was worth a shot.”
“Why are you so desperate to change me?”
YOU ARE READING
The Ways in Which I Die (COMPLETED)
RomanceSummer's not that excited about her job. Anthony's not that excited about his life. They meet somewhere in the middle and Maybe just might have a path to happiness...
