Page 25 of Banking on Love

“Sorry,” I sighed. “And yes.”

“Want to talk about it?” She set my driver’s license down on the counter. Her fingers typed away at the keyboard while her eyes were glued on my driver’s license.

“Wow. You’re good,” I laughed. Computers and I didn’t get along. It’d probably take me an hour just to type a sentence. Kensi made it look like child’s play.

“Been doing this job for a while,” she shrugged. “It’s only ten dollars to open a checking account and another five dollars to open a savings account. A savings account by itself is twenty-dollars to open. What kind were you looking to open?”

“Checking and a savings account.”

“Okay,” she glanced briefly up at me, smiled, then went back to clicking on the keyboard.

She seemed good at her job, but I remembered how Kimberly said Kensi hadn’t wanted to work at the bank. She didn’t even want to stay in Cupid’s Cove. She stayed in town and took the teller job so she could help take care of her sisters.

“Do you actually like your job?” I asked. Kensi’s hands came to a halt. She looked up at me.

“What?” she asked in a hushed whisper. Her eyes were filled with an emotion I could only describe as pain or sadness. Guilt filled me.

“Sorry. I was just wondering if you liked working at the bank. That’s all,” I blurted. Even threw a smile in as an attempt to ease the situation.

“What’d my pain in the ass sister tell you that day?” Her eyebrow rose. A cold chill washed over me. I had a feeling I had just dug myself a hole.

“What?”

“That day at the Festival of Love, when you came off the Ferris wheel, you seemed different. I wanted to ask you what Kimberly had said but I was…” she took a deep breath. “I was terrified to ask you. But now I need to know. What did she tell you?”

Her knuckles began to change color from the death grip she had on the edge of the counter. Her body was tense and she looked like she was ready to kill me.

“Kensi, she didn’t tell me anything bad. I swear,” I said softly.

Reaching across the counter, I placed my hand on the top of hers. Her hand was as cold as ice. I stroked my thumb lightly across her hand. Her eyes lowered down to our hands. She took a deep breath but said nothing.

“Kensi, look at me,” I whispered. She slowly brought her gaze back up to me. Her look was much softer than it was moments ago. “I promise. Kimberly is your biggest cheerleader. Her and Kallia. They just want you to be happy.”

“I’m sorry, Nick,” she let out a heavy sigh. “I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”

“You don’t need to apologize, Beautiful,” I smiled. “Just keep in mind that I’m also one of your biggest cheerleaders. Pom poms and all.”

Her head dipped backward. A heavenly sound filled the bank– her laughter. When she finally stopped laughing, she wiped the tears from her eyes.

“I needed that laugh. Thanks,” she smiled. “Now let’s get you set up with an account so you can get back to work.”

“Actually, I’m off the rest of the day.”

“What?” She glanced at the clock on the wall. I let go of her hand and rubbed the back of my neck nervously. “Why are you off?”

“Long story,” I shrugged nervously.

“Nick, what happened?”

“I’ll tell you later. Promise.”

She looked like she wanted to push the topic. However, she remained silent. Her hands went back to typing a million words per minute. She’d look up occasionally to ask me a question but otherwise kept quiet. She helped me deposit my check and divide it up into the two accounts.

“There you go,” she said, handing me a blue debit card with my name on it. “Now you’re official.”

“Thanks.”

“Everything going to be okay?” she whispered. “I know we’re not together and it’s been like less than a week but I do care about you.”

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