Page 14 of An Adventure For Aster

“What’s so funny?”

“Never mind,” she said. “Something that just popped into my head. Thanks again.”

She stood up with everything and he moved back to his cart. “Maybe we should go check out so you don’t drop anything else.”

“Yeah,” she said. Only she didn’t want to end this conversation.

They walked to the checkout aisles. Both of them stood in the self-checkout and she found that funny. Many didn’t like doing that when they had more than a few items, but she’d rather package up her own things.

They moved up and were side by side checking out when he said, “Does Tyler really want to be a fireman now?”

It took a second for her to realize he was asking about her student. “He says he does. But every kid wants that or policeman or doctor,” she said. “Then they change their minds. Superhero or athletes are normally at the top of the list too.”

“A superhero isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” he said quietly.

She frowned. “I suppose not. I know some real heroes who served. You’d be one of them, as I know you did with Zane. I’ve met Luke. You two know each other, right?”

“We do,” he said. His head was down and he was scanning his food. She was sure she was losing him and maybe this chance and wasn’t sure what she said that caused that.

Then they both paid and walked out together.

“Would you like to get a drink sometime? I could say something lame about telling you about this area, but you can get that from Zane.”

He angled his head; his eyes were dark and drilling into hers. His hair was short and the light breeze was blowing it around some.

She’d never noticed a man who had a strong face before, but Aster did. Almost chiseled in a way. Bet he was headstrong too.

“Why do you want to get a drink then?”

She shrugged. She’d come this far and might as well continue. “I haven’t asked a guy on a date in a long time so I think I’m dropping the ball here. Or should I say the yogurt and half the other things in my basket?”

He cracked the barest of grins. He’d been nice, but he hadn’t smiled much. She wondered if it was his personality or not when she was normally so bubbly.

“So like a date?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said, lifting her chin. “Unless I scare or intimidate you.”

He coughed out a laugh. “I could pick you up as easily as your basket of groceries.”

“True,” she said. “If that is a comment about my size.”

“It is,” he said. “And a drink sounds good.”

“Awesome,” she said. “Can I get your number?”

“Oh, you didn’t want to do it now?”

Her smile dropped. She was still dressed for work, as she’d stayed late to get things done and came right here. Her hair was in a ponytail, her black pants were wrinkled from crawling on the floor with the kids, and she might have even had paint somewhere on her arm if she pushed a sleeve back.

“We can,” she said. “But I’d like to go home and change so you don’t think I’m a frumpy teacher.”

“I don’t think you’re frumpy in the least.” He pulled his phone out. “Give me your number.”

Which meant she’d have to wait for him to contact her. Not ideal, but it was better than nothing.

She read her number off, then felt her phone vibrate in her purse. “Was that you?”

“If you mean your phone going off, then yes. Now you’ve got mine. Text me what works for you. I don’t have any plans anytime soon if that helps.”

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