6. Amethyst #3
As if a summons was put out, there was suddenly a line of customers at the register.
“Alright, call me if you need me. Nitasha, please don’t scare this one off.
” Skyler quips, and I really don’t want to know what he means by scare off .
“Don’t you worry. I’ll make sure Ame here is a professional by noon.
” I jolt at the use of my stage name. Of all the nicknames, why did she have to pick that one?
My hands curl, fingernails digging into my palms as unpleasant memories flood my mind. Everything feels overwhelming. A voice breaks through my spiraling thoughts. A customer is calling for Skyler. My eyes act of their own volition, following him as he walks away.
By some miracle I am able to draw in a deep breath. I stare after Skyler even after he has disappeared down an aisle. Then reluctantly, I turn toward Nitasha, awaiting her direction.
After a couple of hours with Nitasha, she’s irritatingly grown on me.
She’s far from the usual type of person I’d spend time with.
She’s loud and brash, forcing herself into the center of attention.
I typically prefer quieter and more pleasant company.
My mind wanders to Evadne, and I hope she’s doing good.
But seeing how Nitasha and I are working together now, perhaps having one person here in Tarot Lake — besides Skyler and all the confusion that comes with him — to be friendly with wouldn’t be all that bad. None of my childhood friends are still around. I only have Mom.
“Okay, Ame honey, you can take your break first. I know you’ve been here an hour longer than me.” She winks as if being late is now a cute inside joke between us.
Huffing, I shake my head, “You’re a very interesting character.
” I make sure to end with a grin, letting her know I’m teasing.
“Rather be interesting than bland.” She comes back.
“Just make sure you watch yourself in the back room. You have to be careful where you step around here.” She leans close to my ear, cupping her hand over her mouth as she adds, “There’s one particularly large snake in the grass. ”
I recoil, going on the defensive too quickly, “Who? Skyler?” Nitasha’s laugh is vindictive, and I immediately wonder about the history between them.
“You’ll find out,” is all she offers me.
I shrug it off and clock myself out for lunch.
I didn’t bring anything with me, but GGs is calling my name. I grab my keys and head for the door.
Just outside, I collide with a warm, solid body.
Attempting to take a step back and apologize, my ankle rolls, sending me plummeting.
A strong arm wraps around my back just as quickly, holding me steady.
I no longer need my sight to know who I’ve crashed into.
The warm feeling running through my veins, pooling in my chest, tells me it’s Skyler.
A new scent wraps around me. A lush forest, with a hint of whiskey. How have I never noticed it before? I could drown in it. In him. A declaration whispers up my throat. Mine.
The door squeaks as it opens, and a customer steps out. One of their bags brushes against my shoulder, sending me crashing back to reality. I jump out of his hold, my cheeks burning hot enough that I fear they’ll melt off.
“Sorry! Sorry... I’m headed for lunch. I’ll see you in an hour!” Without waiting for his reply, I dash to the Jeep, sinking as far into the seat as possible. This is trouble — he is trouble.
With just fifteen minutes left in my shift today, my mind has officially lost its ability to focus. I’ve mastered the basics of the register, regardless of my doubts from earlier. Between all the different key combinations and Skyler, though, my brain is mush.
No matter how intently I try to focus on the logistics of the job, my thoughts keep wandering to the way he caught me effortlessly. The feeling of his arm around me, and the way my entire body practically sang. The way mine almost slipped past my lips.
Skyler is in no way mine. But… What would it feel like for his hands to explore my body? Would this ecstasy continue, or are my veins only electric for his touch because it’s taboo?
“Excuse me,” I almost startle at the voice, “could you tell me which one of these is for suede?” Coming around the counter to see what the customer is asking about, I stop beside a quite large man with dark leathery wings.
A demon. Taking a breath to steady myself, my eyes quickly scan the products he’s looking at.
It’s a small display of shoe supplies, and he seems to be inquiring about the cleaners. “Of course!” I nod, then freeze in disbelief as my gaze snags on a can which reads suede. I glance between the man and the can. I heard his question correctly... right?
“This one, sir, it says it’s for suede.” The demon aggressively pulls a can from the shelf. “Damn! You think I can’t read?”
I can’t recall once that I’ve ever been this confused in my entire life. As he shoves his items onto the counter for Nitasha to scan, I stay next to the shoe supplies appalled.