It's All in the Timing

Her beauty was extraordinary. She walked up to the counter with such confidence I became tongue tied. “Can you help me? I mean, can I help you?”

A delicious grin appeared. “Well, I may be able to help you…”

I felt my face get hot and giggled as if I were six. “What can I get for you?”

“A medium strawberry smoothie and your company.”

I looked up a little startled. “I’m sorry?”

She leaned forward on the counter, the muscles in her well tanned arms evident through the stark white tee shirt. “When’s your break?”

I glanced at the clock. “About five minutes.”

“Would you join me?”

“Uh yeah I’d love to,” I stuttered. “Your, um, total is 3.85.”

She pulled out a one dollar bill and one dozen quarters in a plastic baggy. I smiled to myself. Just like a college student. “Great. I’ll go find us a seat,” she smiled taking her change.

After I carefully made her smoothie in perfection, I hollered to the back, “Taking a break!”

I wiped my hands on my apron and threw it under the counter. Smoothing my clothes, I walked out to the sofas where she was waiting. I handed her the drink and sat down.

She smiled that brilliant smile. “I’m Jamie.”

“I’m Lisa.”

“I come here all the time just to watch you work.”

“How come you never talked to me before?”

“Shy, I guess.”

I laughed. “You don’t seem shy.”

She shrugged. “Maybe today just seemed like good timing.”

My conversation was broken by my manager, Jackie. Her voice was sharp as a razor’s edge. “Lisa! Break’s over!”

I looked at Jamie and rolled my eyes. “Gotta go.”

She leaned over and kissed me. “See you at home?”

I returned the kiss and smiled. “Of course, baby.”


**300 words**