We’ve Got Time
WE’VE GOT TIME
“Ultra deluxe. Ribbed for her pleasure. Strawberry?” I continued reading the marketing copy about how a piece of plastic would make me a better lover. “What part of that sounds sexy?”
The pharmacy in Firefly still had a sign out front that read “Chemist.” When I walked in, it was deserted, and not even a cashier could be found. I assumed they were out back mixing potions and harvesting their eye of newt.
I didn’t know when I’d see Bobby again, but this time, I wasn’t going to show up without condoms… an entire box of condoms. For such a small town and a pharmacy with only two aisles before reaching the pharmacist’s counter, they certainly had a wide selection.
“Magnums. Extra girth.” Only one box left on the shelf. Well, damn. Either there were some wishful men in Firefly or the fresh mountain air made for impressive packages. I took the last package. As far as I was concerned, Bobby qualified.
I snatched a box of good ol’ fashioned condoms on the off-chance Bobby wanted me to climb on top of him. While they had an impressive selection of condoms, their lube left something to be desired. I grabbed a bottle. “It’ll do,” I mumbled to myself.
Now that I looked like a sex-crazed maniac, I tried to maintain a level of maturity. I remembered stealing my first box of condoms as a kid and feeling guilty. I slid the cashier an extra ten dollars before leaving. In hindsight, I’m pretty sure the man behind the counter knew exactly why I paid penance.
The pharmacist popped up from behind the counter. I was surprised to see a young woman. Considering the folks in town, I was expecting Harvey or Walter. I gave a slight wave as I walked by. Now that I had enough supplies for at least a date or two, I needed munchies.
If Rose found out I partook in something as mundane as cheesy stix, she’d throw a fit. A day hadn’t passed without her preparing a pie, cookies, cupcakes, and, just for fun, a seven-layer cake. Firefly wasn’t good for my waistline, and at this rate, I’d be diabetic before I left.
“But it’d be fun getting there,” I mused.
I grabbed a bag of chips and headed to the front of the store. As I passed the cooler, I frowned at the sight of Moxie. The taste returned with a vengeance. I’d never be rid of it. I’d have to find a way to get my revenge on Edward and Bobby.
When I reached the register, I spotted the small silver bell. With a vigorous tap, it filled the store. I dumped my purchases on the counter while I looked through the breath mints.
Bending down, I hunted for my favorite wintergreen. I could hear the pharmacist walking down the aisle and sliding behind the counter. Plenty of mint but no wintergreen. I’d have to settle.
“It’ll have to do.”
“Find everything?—”
I froze at the sight of Will in a white dress shirt and tie. On his chest, a small red name tag read, “William.” My surprise turned to embarrassment as he glanced down at my purchases.
“I… uh?—”
“Oh God, don’t say anything.”
I nodded. It was one thing for Abraham and Laurel to make jokes. Now, the kid questioning my motives with his uncle held the scanner. Picking up a box of condoms, we avoided eye contact as it beeped.
“Find everything you need?”
“And this.” I slid the mints between the chips and lube.
“Can’t have you defiling my uncle with bad breath.”
My cheeks didn’t warm; they burned. It’d be comical if we were on good terms. Laurel would have thrown a fit, saying she didn’t want to know about it. Abraham would have likely given me a punch in the shoulder and a knowing smirk. Will, on the other hand, held up a bag, dropping the box inside, all the while making maximum eye contact.
He didn’t look away as he held up the lube. Beep. Dropped in the bag. The second box, the Magnums, and no reaction other than the beep. He won. I looked away, pretending to examine the store. “So, you work here?” Yes, lame, but what else was I going to say?
“It seems I do.”
“Banking money for college?”
“I’m trying.”
Could I fake a phone call and excuse myself? I had won the hearts of Laurel and Abraham, but it seemed cozying up to Will wouldn’t work. He didn’t hate me, but he wasn’t going to let me through his defenses by charm alone.
“Remember that article?”
His eyebrow rose as he dumped the mints in the bag. I bet he worked through headlines in his head as he rang up my order. Men who overcompensate. Hollywood actor reveals sex addiction. Wet I’m sure it’ll be white as snow.”
“You sure you’re okay with this?”
He leaned forward, kissing my forehead. “If you’re passing on the opportunity because it’s what you want, then I’m okay with it.”
“What if I’m passing because I want to, and it gives me more time with my boyfriend?”
His face scrunched up as he weighed the options. “I can live with that.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. This conversation had weighed on me since the call with Tessa. I wasn’t passing on the offer for Bobby, but the more I got to know him, the more I envied his outlook. He was happy with the life he created for himself. I wanted to create a life I could settle into and be proud of myself. It was time to live on my terms.
The sun had dipped low enough that it had grown hard to see. I held up a finger and clamored to my feet. Walking along the pier, I climbed into my car. When I flipped on the headlights, shadows stretched along the pier.
Bobby had gotten to his feet while I threw open the passenger door. I could see the confusion on his face. I’ll admit, I enjoyed seeing the expression. Why waste an opportunity to win brownie points as the boyfriend?
I plugged my phone into the car. With a couple of clicks, the music started. I cranked up the volume and climbed out of the car. His confused expression hadn’t vanished. When I returned, standing close enough, his breath warmed my face.
Standing in the headlights while a sappy song played, I held up my left hand. He left me hanging for a moment, leaving me wondering if I had laid it on too thick. Bobby took my hand, trying to decide if the other rested on my waist or across my shoulder.
“Mr. Wright, have you never danced with another man?”
“You’re checking off a lot of ‘first-time’ boxes.”
I moved his arm around my neck and rested my hand on his waist. We weren’t graceful as we swayed about the landing. Toes were crunched, and we did our fair share of bumping into one another. We might not win a dance competition, but I’d be more than happy to bumble along with him.
“I’ve always wondered who leads. They didn’t answer that in the brochure.”
“The taller person.” I created the arbitrary rule. “So, I guess that means…”
I shifted, holding up my other hand and moving my arm to his shoulders. Bobby took the lead. More toes were crunched. “Don’t worry, I’ll show you a dance move or two.”
“I’m not sure that’ll ever happen.”
“Oh? So, you’re not going to show off some dance moves at the concert?”
“I’ll sit in the back and listen.”
“Or…” I gave him a quick peck on the lips. “Time for the finale.” I took the lead, spun out, and then came back in. He held my waist as he dipped into me. Oh yeah, Bobby knew exactly what he was doing. Until he dropped me.
I hit the pier with a thud.
“We’ll work on the finale,” I said.
He reached out, offering me a hand. “We’ve got time.”
Yes, we did, and I wanted to make the most of every minute.