“Nothing. I see you’re spreading Christmas cheer.”
I waved him off and turned to a shelf next to the register. “Are you buying any dolls today?”
“Nope. Just here to ask you out again.”
Flabbergasted and somewhat excited, I turned to face him. “Charles, no.”
He shrugged. “If you won’t go out with me tonight, then you should go to the church’s date auction. I mean, it is their way of earning money for the cancer wing.” His family usually donated enough money to supplement whatever fundraising happened at the Christmas gala.
“Are you going to auction off a date?” I challenged; then I realized that might sound overeager. “Not that I want you to, but I’m just …” I trailed off, feeling out of sorts. “I mean, you should if you’re encouraging me to.”
He shrugged. “I will if you will.”
Annoyed and slightly flustered, I shook my head. “No.”
A man put his head through the door. “The sign says that you can help me at the bookstore?”
I nodded. “You bet. Coming.” I took my long coat off the hook next to the desk and followed him out of the store.
Charles followed me. “What are you doing?”
“Gretchen had to run to the school because her son got into some trouble. I told her I’d let people into her store.”
A couple holding a baby waited to walk into the shop. “Are you open?” the man asked.
I hesitated. “Uh, yeah. Just a second.”
Another mother and daughter paused to look at my display window. Oh gosh, I didn’t want to lose out on this business.
Charles said, “Do you want me to go watch the bookstore for Gretchen and Kent while you take care of your store?”
I only hesitated for a moment. It had been years, but I absolutely trusted Charles. He wouldn’t steal anything or do anything weird. “That would be great.”
Chapter Ten
Charles
Melody thanked me as she walked me over to the bookstore and typed in the code. It felt good to do something for her.
She turned to walk away, and I reached for her hand, stopping her. “I want a conversation when all this is over. I want dinner.”
She yanked her hand away and glared at me. “Charles, no.”
I let out a dramatic sigh. “Sorry, gentlemen,” I told the people gathered to wait for the bookstore to open. “I’m not going to be able to stay and help out after all.” I started walking away. It was a jerk move, but I wanted dinner with this woman.
One of the men said, “What? We can’t go into the store?”
Another man pulled his coat tighter. “It’s cold out here.”
Melody grabbed my sleeve. “Fine, dinner,” she whispered. “But you have to stay until Gretchen gets back.”
I gave her a little salute. “You got it.” I smiled at the men and held open the door. “Go on in, gentlemen. Melody, I need your number.”
Melody, who’d been stepping through the shop door, paused and turned. “What?”
Maybe this was a silly play, but I was taking it. “Your phone number. In case I need help. Like working the cash register.” I was pretty sure I could figure it out, but I would make sure I got her phone number.
She listed off the digits, and I committed them to memory. I would have celebrated, but now wasn’t the time.