Page 37 of Since the Day We Kissed

Ethan fumbled with the album, tucking the Polaroid back into its place and returning the album to its spot on the pile. He grabbed the ladder, his heart still pounding.

“Yeah, got ‘em!” he called back. He took a steadying breath before stepping out of the closet. “Got lost in there for a second,” he added with a chuckle.

“Yeah, that closet has been lurking on my to-do list since, well—” Kara’s face scrunched into a rueful grimace. “Probably since we opened,” she admitted with a self-deprecating chuckle. “Never enough hours in the day.”

Ethan followed Kara outside and waited while she decided on the best spot for the camera.

Kara squinted up at the corner of the building. “What about up there? Think that’d work?”

Ethan tilted his head. “Hard to tell from down here. Can we check the feed before we mount it?”

She dug into her pocket for her phone. “Oh, right. There’s an app.” She waved the phone. “Mind holding it up there while I check?”

Ethan nodded, setting up the ladder. “No problem. I’ll head up. Pass it to me?”

Kara gripped the base, steadying it. “Okay, but watch your step. This ladder’s about as old as the barn itself.”

“Well, that’s comforting.”

Kara shrugged, a sheepish grin on her face. “It was here when we renovated the barn. Never got a new one.”

Ethan smirked. “So, you’re perfectly fine with me scaling this relic that probably witnessed the stock market crash of ‘29?”

Kara laughed, swatting his arm. “Oh, stop it! It’s not that old. Just well-loved.”

Ethan started up the ladder. “If I fall, at least it’s a short trip.”

When Kara handed the camera and its mount to him, his hand tingled from the brief contact with hers. The simple touch sent a jolt through him, stirring a memory. The warm sunlight dimmed, giving way to the glow of fluorescent lights ...

The soft beep of the pharmacy’s cash register hummed in the background as Kara stood beside him, her chestnut hair pulled back in a ponytail, a name tag pinned to her shirt.

“So, after you scan the items,” Kara said, leaning in close enough that Ethan could catch a whiff of her light, jasmine perfume, “you just press this button here.” Her voice had a playful lilt to it, as if she was sharing a secret.

As she reached out to demonstrate, her hand brushed against his. The touch lingered a fraction longer than necessary. He looked up, meeting Kara’s eyes. For a moment, he saw a flicker of something in her gaze—surprise? Interest?

She glanced away, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

“And, um, that’s all you do,” she said, tucking a stray strand behind her ear.

“Seems simple enough. But maybe you should show me one more time?” He flashed her a grin. “Just to make sure I’ve got it down.”

Kara laughed, bumping her shoulder against his. “Really?”

“Well, you know what they say. Practice makes perfect.”

After showing him one more time, Kara raised an eyebrow. “Alright, hotshot. Let’s see what you’ve learned.” She grabbed a random item from the counter. “Ring me up.”

As Ethan fiddled with the scanner, hyper-aware of Kara’s proximity, he couldn’t help but think that learning the cash register was suddenly the most exciting thing in the world.

The memory faded like a passing breeze, leaving him standing on the ladder again, holding the camera. He blinked, refocusing as he positioned it.

“How’s it look?” Ethan adjusted his grip. “We good?”

“Hang on ... stupid app ... Ah! There we go.” She squinted at the screen. “Okay, maybe nudge it right a bit? And tilt it ... yeah, like that.”

Ethan shifted the camera. “Better?”

“That’s it! Perfect.”

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