He tipped his head to the side. “What? And take away all the intrigue? I don’t know. My manager told me to do it. She told me what to write on the cup, and that you were all paid up unless you start ordering something tricky.”
Samantha laughed. “Any chance I could talk to your manager?”
Stan’s head spun around, his eyes scanning the room. Then he beckoned her closer to the counter. “I wouldn’t recommend it. She is not very nice, and she probably wouldn’t tell you anyway.”
“Seriously?” she whispered. She’d never been this close to Stan. It was kind of exciting. Made her feel like a real regular.
He nodded gravely. “Definitely. I’d ask her for you, but I don’t want to get my eyes scratched out. Trust me, there’s gotta be a better way to investigate.” He straightened and studied her. “Besides, I can tell by the look on your face that you know who it is anyway.” Well, now he sounded downright pompous.
The bell over the door dinged as someone else walked in.
“I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.”
“I don’t know for sure.”
He winked at her. “Follow your gut, sweetie. Now get to work before you get me in trouble.”
Samantha stepped outside smiling. She didn’t think Stan had ever called her sweetie before. He’d been working there for at least six months, and that was the most she’d ever talked to him. But he was nice. She vowed to be nicer to him from now on.
She hurried back to her car and then fought the traffic to get to work only ten minutes late. One of the partners scowled at her as she came in, but she pretended not to notice.
Denise came in right behind her, which made her feel a little better.
“Nice of you girls to show up,” Miranda said from behind her panel.
Samantha sat down and got to work. Thank God it was Friday. She needed a few days away from these shrews.
The morning dragged on and on. Samantha couldn’t stop thinking about Brent, about Saturday, about the mysterious man in the pickup, about whether she should even be thinking about a relationship so early in recovery.
During her lunch break she hurried to Label Shopper, hoping to find something new to wear. She hurriedly tried on three dresses, hated them all, and was headed out of the store when a blue blouse caught her eye. Out of nowhere, she remembered that Brent used to tell her that she looked good in blue. She found it in her size and headed back to the dressing room.
She pulled the blouse on over her head and looked in the mirror.
Yes.That looked awesome. A small thrill shot through her. This was going to be so much fun.
She got dressed, bought the blouse, and got back to work ten minutes late again. This time there was no partner there to catch her because they took super long lunches themselves.
The afternoon went faster than the morning had, and soon it was time to clock out. She grabbed her stuff and stood.
“You’re in an awful hurry,” Miranda said.
Samantha sighed, trying to keep her cool. She was supposed to love this person in front of her, no matter how obnoxious she was. “Not really. It’s just Friday, and the sun’s shining.” She forced a smile. “Have a good weekend.” She moved to go around her, but Miranda sidestepped to block her path.
“What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing.”
Miranda turned her head and hollered, “Denise!”
Samantha jumped. She was grateful Miranda didn’t often holler like that. She was only getting away with it now because all the lawyers had left already.
Denise came running. “What’s up?”
Miranda turned back to Samantha. “Let’s go to Laney’s.”
“On a Friday?” Denise said. “Don’t you have a date?”