Page 43 of The Deal Maker

“I’m assuming you worked for them for a long time?” Maggie asks, reaching for another set of silverware to tie up in the napkin.

Nodding, I know she’s going to ask me more about it. And I’d rather distract myself from the smell coming from the kitchen. Maybe the silverware hasn’t been cleaned all the way, causing me to itch along my collar. I reach up and scratch gently, trying to breathe through this event. Since when do I risk my life to spend more time with a woman? I guess now is as good a time as any.

“Yep, I started out in the shoe section when I was four.” I stop and watch her reaction of disbelief. “I wasn’t the main salesman, but I did comment a lot on the choices, which my father hated. I worked up to cashier and then bridal consultant.”

Maggie chuckles then. “They put you as a bridal consultant?”

I shrug and say, “They were running out of options for me. I messed up the till one time and it took a couple of days to fix it. I can’t sew to save my life, so I can't be a tailor.”

She raises an eyebrow and says, “You must know all about the cut of dresses then.” It’s not really a question, more of a statement.

“My parents made a poster on my wall so that I would subconsciously learn it all while I slept.”

Maggie blinks a few times before saying, “Wait, really?”

I chuckle and shake my head. “I’m sure if I’d given them the idea, they might’ve done it. But yes, I actually know the different fabrics, the designs and cuts. I think we had to go through at least a thousand dresses when looking for what the brides wanted.”

Maggie looks like she’s trying to hide a smile. “How long did you last in that position?”

“About four months. Dad put me over the ordering, before I struggled with that. Then I figured it was time to start doing myown thing. I thought my dad would freak out and tell me how I’m supposed to inherit the business or something, but he and my mom were more relieved than mad.”

“I can see why,” Maggie says, placing the last set of silverware into the bin. “You were wrecking what they’d worked so hard to achieve.”

I feign a frown before saying, “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

“So, you just jumped into timeshares after the Italian restaurant and the hotels?”

She’d been listening. None of the women I’ve dated in the past have cared about my job. Not that I’ve dated that much.

Shaking my head, I say, “No, it didn’t start that way. I’ve worked for several businesses around town and then tried a few different things. An arcade, which did not go well. Let’s see?—”

“What do you mean an arcade? Like you bought all the different machines and everything?”

I grimace, not wanting to relive the shame of that endeavor. “Well, I took it over from an older guy on the terms that I would lease to own it. Turns out that lease made it all of a month before the guy came out of retirement and I had to find a new job.”

“And you’re worried about that?” Maggie asks.

Raising my eyebrow, I say, “Yeah. What kind of man can’t decide what to do with his life? And what woman in her right mind would go along with someone who doesn’t provide stability?”

We’re quiet for several moments. I avoid her gaze. I don’t need to see her face to know she’s probably agreeing with the questions I just asked out loud.

“Maybe being different is what makes you the person you are. I know that things were hard for my father a few years ago. He kept claiming how he should’ve taken more time off before graduating college and jumping into a career. To be honest, you might be skipping that restless part of life by doing it now.”

I stare at her, surprised that the woman who was so mad at me over timeshares is really great at thinking of the little things.

“Thanks.” I’m grateful for her observation, but I’m more curious about her answer to my last question. Would she be willing to go out on a date with me?

“Do you think our candy store will be fine outside of the busiest hours in town?”

I nod. “Absolutely. People love a good bag of candy and ice cream. They’re a fun treat after a long day.”

“What else have you done?” Maggie asks, turning in the booth to look at me fully.

“Well, I tried to be an instructor at King’s Surf Shop. I’ve done construction with Beck the builder. And I told you about not getting my flying license with Coop. Delivery driver, server at a restaurant. But none of those really fit. And I think I wanted to keep my friends more than the job.”

She chuckles and says, “That’s probably for the best.”

“What about you? What jobs did you have before deciding to open one of the greatest shops ever?”

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