Page 54 of Holiday Surprise

With the heavy stuff out in the open, I gave Jess a quick overview. She had worked at the store with me before, begrudgingly at least, though I had never left her in charge.

“I can show her that,” Chasity volunteered as I headed for the register to explain the new system.

“Okay,” I agreed standing back to see what she said.

I was impressed by how quickly Chasity was picking everything up, and when the first customer of the day came in, her theory proved correct.

“Good morning Mrs. Shay,” Chasity said. “What can I help you with today? Did you change your mind on that new scarf?”

She smiled. “Hello Sydney. It’s good to see you,” she said with a wave before giving her full attention to Chasity. “You know, I think you were right, child. I’m going to buy the blue one.”

“Great choice,” Chasity praised. “And you know, this sweater I just unboxed this morning goes perfectly with it too.”

I gave her a questioning look and she winked. The sweater was showcased on one of the mannequins. At first, I didn’t even recognize it, then realized it was the brown one that I didn’t really like the color of and had stored on a lower shelf in the back corner. I had been considering returning them, but Chasity was right, with the blue scarf and a few accessories it made for a gorgeous look.

When Mrs. Shay was through shopping, she fussed that she had bought ten times the amount she came in for, but she also giggled and said she couldn’t wait to go home and model it all for Mr. Shay.

“You’re really good at this,” Jessie told Chasity after our customer left.

“I just love it. I can’t help it. I’ve never had clothes like this before, I drool over them online and my Pinterest page is full of fashion designs. It’s like a dream come true working here.”

Jessie looked at me and laughed. “She’s just like you when you opened the place.”

I smiled, fondly remembering how that had felt. “You’re a natural,” I praised Chasity, whose smile lit up the entire room.

“Tell you what,” Jessie said. “I don’t mind working the register, but I hate dealing with the customers. How about you do that part and then just send them to me to check out when they’re done?”

“Really?” Chasity asked. “You wouldn’t mind that?”

Jess snorted. “No, not at all.”

The chime over the door tinkled signaling a new customer. Chasity clapped gleefully and went to the front to welcome them.

“Oh hey, Luke,” she said.

“Hey Chasity. Is Sydney around?”

I looked at my watch. “Wow, it’s noon already? That flew by.” I turned to Jessie. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay.”

“Oh, with her around? No problem. We’ve got this. Go enjoy your lunch.”

“Thanks,” I mouthed as Luke walked up to us.

“Hey, are you ready or should I come back later?” Luke asked.

I stretched up to give him a quick kiss. “I think we’re good.”

“You two are kind of disgustingly cute together,” Jessie admitted.

Luke smiled at her. “Thanks for pitching in and covering this week,” he told her.

“No problem. Wait, Syd are you coming back today?”

I looked up at Luke.

“That’s up to you, babe,” he said.

“Probably not,” I told her. “Well, I’ll be back for closing.”

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