Page 2 of Bottles & Blades
The cashier starts tapping on her keyboard again, this time angrily. “I’ll have to cancel the transaction, sir.”
It’s the condescension in her tone that unsticks me.
I double tap the side of my cell, take a step toward the man with the dirt marring his strong chin, clinging to the salt and pepper beard on his jaw, his cheeks. I slip between his strong, obviously hardworking body and the payment kiosk, avoiding those bright blue eyes as I say, “I’ve got it.”
That brilliant cerulean gaze comes to mine. “No, that’s?—”
But I’m already waving my phone at the machine, and it doesn’t so much as have to make contact to solve this problem.
Bleep-beep.
And it’s done.
“There,” I say softly, giving him a small smile. “Enjoy your meal.”
His expression…
Well, I’m not sure I can discern the flurry of emotions—annoyance and surprise and embarrassment and…
Gratitude.
“Thank you,” he says softly, snagging the sandwich, soda, and bag of chips from the counter.
“No worries,” I reply, turning back to the cashier, taking the receipt she passes over.
He waits there for a moment, big body still, eyes on me, so I turn and hold it out to him.
“Did you need this?” I ask, careful to not get lost in his eyes, careful to not notice how handsome he is, all strong muscles and brutal features and those gorgeous blue irises.
“No,” he says.
But doesn’t move.
Just stares at me like I’m a puzzle to be solved.
And well…no puzzle here.
Just a woman who’s barely holding her life together.
“Right, okay.” I nibble at the corner of my mouth. “You have a good day.”
Another hesitation from the big man next to me.
“You’re all paid, sir,” the cashier snaps as she starts scanning my items. “You can go now.”
I see him stiffen out of the corner of my eye, but he doesn’t snap back, and…he doesn’t linger.
Just gives a slight nod and walks away.
Some part of me is disappointed.
The rest…is relieved.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep?—
“Wait,” I tell the cashier, as she reaches for the bottle of wine. It’s a discount brand, but I’ll have to do without it after that $23.26. “I’ll pass on the wine,” I say softly.
Her eyes come to mine and she rolls hers, silently setting it to the side before reaching for the next item.
