Page 22 of The Odds of Happily Ever After
He grinned, revealing dimples on both cheeks. “Hey, I don’t blame you. It’s a nice shirt. Like I said, it would look great onyou.” A second later, he grimaced. “Shit, did that sound like a come-on?”
“Honestly, I’ve never been good at identifying those things, so let’s just say no.”
His eyes crinkled at the edges. “I knew we’d get along. I’m Kai.” He stretched out his hand toward me.
I shook it. “Hi, Kai. I’m Luna.”
“Luna. Great to meet you.”
“Likewise. Are you looking for something in particular?” I gestured around the store. “We have merch, school supplies, textbooks, and electronics you can purchase with a student discount.”
He hesitated, then shoved his hands in his pockets. “Actually, I was wondering if you’re hiring. I transferred here at the start of the semester, and I know the timing’s off since it’s almost Christmas, but I sure could use a part-time job.”
“Oh! Well, no.” His face fell, and I hurried to explain. “I mean, we don’t have any openings that I know of, but I can check with my boss. Do you want to leave your number so she can get back to you?”
“Yeah, for sure.”
Heading behind the counter, I grabbed a notepad and pen and handed them to him. “Here you go.”
He leaned over and scribbled his number. “How long have you been working here?”
“Just since September, so not long at all. I was lucky they had an opening right when the semester started.”
He passed the paper to me. “I hope I luck out too. I’d love to work with you.”
I paused, wondering if he was flirting with me, but I dismissed the idea right away. He might just be an extra friendly guy by nature. Whatever the case, I didn’t want to read too muchinto his words. “I’ll make sure to pass the message to Marge. Fingers crossed.” I held up my fingers in the air.
“Thanks, Luna. Really appreciate it. I’ll, ah, catch you around?” he asked, taking a step back.
“Definitely. Good luck with the job hunt, Kai, and I hope you like it here in Sterling.”
His dimples showed up again. “I already do.” He waved at me, then walked out of the store, giving me a second glance from the doorway.
Kai Walkerhe’d written in neat, all-caps print. He seemed like a nice, easygoing guy. I wondered what his story was, where he’d come from, and why he decided to move here. If we’d met in a different setting, I would have found a way to ask, but it didn’t feel right to chat him up about his personal life while I was supposed to be working.
Next time, maybe. For now, I had to get through the last hour of my shift without falling asleep on potential customers. Then I’d go back to cramming for my accounting exam, something I definitely had to load up on coffee for. Why I had to choose a course that went heavy on the numbers and math, I had no idea.
Numbers had never come easily for me, but between business management and nursing—the only two courses my dad had okayed—the former seemed more manageable. Also, I could apply what I learned there to a career in the fashion industry.
At least, that was what I hoped because spending my future buried in spreadsheets and obsessing about the bottom line did not excite me one bit.
For a second, I let myself imagine what finals week might have been like if I had pursued the fashion degree I’d wanted. I probably would’ve still pulled all-nighters, but they wouldn’t have been as tiresome because I would have actually enjoyed what I was studying.
I sighed and straightened my shoulders. There was no point moping when I was more than lucky just to be here. To experience the independence I’d longed for and add new firsts to my list.
Including my first time celebrating Christmas on my own.
My stomach dropped at the thought of it. I tried to focus on the thought of catching up on sleep instead of dwelling on how I would be away from my family during the biggest occasion of the year.
I reminded myself that Christmas was just a day, and I could spend it however I wanted to. I could create a new tradition—one that I got to choose for a change.
Nowthatwas an exciting prospect.
But first I had to get through stupid accounting and the rest of my finals.
gabe
Nora
