Page 40 of Powerless

“You’re such an idiot. It doesn’t take a degree to figure these things out.” I remain quiet as I scan through his items and place them to the side so he can bag them the way he wants. “Pffft,” he scoffs.

“What am I doing wrong now?” I stop scanning to ask.

“You’re not even packing them.” He scans his eyes over my body and shakes his head. “No wonder you can’t get a job anywhere else.”

“Hey, you don’t speak to her like that.”

My arms erupt into goose bumps as a smile stretches my face. His voice is so distinct I could pick it in a crowd of other people. Bennett’s deep tone slides over my skin like the warmth of a fireplace on a cold winter’s evening. I turn to face him and can’t help but fly into his arms. “I’ve missed you so much,” I say.

“Excuse me, this isn’t acceptable,” the grumpy customer barks.

“Give me a minute,” I say to Bennett.

“What time do you finish?”

“About two hours.”

“Can you stop ignoring your customers before I put a complaint in against you?”

“Ease up,” the customer behind him says. “You’ve been a crabby old bastard from the moment you put your things on the conveyor belt. Give the poor girl a chance.” The woman is middle-aged, with a copious mane of salt-and-pepper hair and dark eyes. She’s a little heavy, and looks like she’s had enough with life and now no longer cares what she says or who she says it to. The man I’m serving looks at the lady, and grumbles something unintelligible. “Keep going, old man.”

I try my hardest to hide the smirk, but my face defies me. “I’ll be back when you’ve finished,” Bennett says once everything is calm. The old guy sneers toward Bennett, but a quick look over his shoulder at the woman behind him shuts him up when she arches a brow and purses her lips together.

“I can’t wait.” I smile broadly at Bennett but keep working. The customer I’m dealing with silently loads his bags in the cart and leaves. “Thank you,” I say to the middle-aged woman.

“Darlin’, you shouldn’t have to put up with pricks like that old snot.”

A loud giggle escapes me. “You’d be surprised what people think they’re entitled to.”

“Trust me when I say I know people can be assholes.”

Thankfully, the rest of my shift goes by without a hitch.

* * *

The dorm door flings open and Faith dances into the room. “Guess who got laid?” she sings happily.

Thankfully, Bennett and I are both dressed and snuggling under the bedclothes. “I’m glad you didn’t waltz in half an hour ago.”

Faith lets out a small yelp when she sees Bennett, then smiles broadly as she plonks on my bed. “Well, well, well. Who are you?” Faith’s eyes widen when she looks to me and smirks.

“Hi, I’m Bennett.” He pushes the covers off us and extends his hand to shake hers.

“Ewww, no. I don’t know where that hand has been.” Faith waggles her finger at him. “So, who are you, and where did you come from? I thought you were meant to be working, missy.”

“I did work, and I had no idea Bennett was coming.”

“I bet you both came.” Simultaneously, Bennett chuckles and Faith winks at me. “So, tell me about yourself, Bennett.”

I turn to Bennett and whisper, “Sorry.”

“What would you like to know?”

“How long have you two been together? Because, missy over here has never told me she’s dating anyone.”

“It’s a complicated situation,” Bennett says. He looks to me and I shake my head discreetly.

“How so? Do tell, I love juicy gossip.”

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