Chapter Seven
Allison
Islept like a rock after all the dancing with Daveed yesterday, but the euphoria of the moment is gone as the phone has been ringing non-stop today. I’ve picked up three new clients and am starting on a website overhaul for an existing one. I stretch and roll my shoulders when my stomach starts to growl. Realizing it’s already lunchtime, I remove my glasses and rub my eyes. My stomach grumbles again, and I stand and make my way to the fridge.
I have leftovers from my date with Oliver, but I’m not feeling it. I honestly hate leftovers. They taste like sadness. They’re never the same as the first time, and I only eat them out of obligation to not waste food. Growing up with three older brothers we never had many leftovers, so I never learned how to make them taste good. I close the fridge and stare at the pantry items. PBJ on crackers sounds even less stellar so I grab my sneakers and make a trek to the market. Maybe I can find something to add to the leftovers to make them tolerable for dinner.
Since we’re having an Indian summer, it’s a gloriously warm, sunny day and I decide to stop by the post office before getting lunch to see if I have anything in my post office box.
You know how you have certain thoughts and you think they are a good idea at the time? Yeah, well, going to the post office first might not have been the best idea, as I’m now walking down the street with a box full of sex toys. And, you’re probably saying to yourself, what’s the big deal, they come in non-descript boxes. I say nay-nay, not when you are doing product ads and they send them for free, apparently. Because I’m walking down the street with a box that has several pictures with certain body parts blacked out and a pretty good view of the items in the box. I. AM. MORTIFIED. I hustle down the street, trying to avoid eye contact with passersby.
Thankfully, Pat and Rose know me and know what I do, so I’m hoping I can get in and out quickly without drawing too much attention to myself. I decide to get a small cart to put the box in while I shop, in hopes of being discreet.
I’m grabbing some items for lunch, something to fix up the leftovers for dinner, and some breakfast.
“Hello again.” I don’t have to turn to know who is behind me—Oliver.
I slowly turn in hopes of blocking the contents of my cart with my body since he’s behind me.
“Oh, hey, hi. How are you today?”
“Great. I had a really nice date the other night, and I’ve been thinking about her ever since.”
“Oh?” I raise one eyebrow.
“Yeah, arguably the coolest girl I’ve met, and I’m hoping she’ll go out with me again.”
“I think she’d like that.”
“How about Friday night? Seven p.m.?”
“I think she could make it work. What’s the dress code?”
“Casual.”
“Great. Pick me up at my place?” I ask.
“My pleasure.”
“Okay, well, see ya later. Bye!” I start to walk away.
“Wait, can I walk you home?” I stop and turn back.
“Uh, no, I’ll be fine on my own,” I say, trying to keep the basket shielded with my body.
Oliver peeks over my shoulder.
“Are you sure? You look like you have a good bit in there.”
“I assure you; I’ll be fine.” I try to push the cart in the opposite direction.
“Okay then, see you Friday,” he says.
He has a disappointed look on his face as he turns to go. I scrunch up my nose and sag my shoulders in defeat. He might as well know.
“Wait, okay, fine, but I have to warn you.” He stops and turns back to me.
“Warn me?”
“I have something with me and it’s kind of embarrassing.” I cover my eyes with my hands.
“Come on, it can’t be that bad.” He peeks into the cart as I move out of the way to let him see the box.
“Bwahahahaa.” Oliver doubles over in laughter when he sees it, and I start laughing with him.
“I rescind my acceptance of your offer for dinner on Friday.” I playfully push him away.
“Oh no you can’t because I have to know why you have that box with you.”
“I’m not telling you now.” I tease. “As a matter of fact, I’m going to go check out and go home. Alone.” I turn to push the cart away but Oliver stops me.
“Come on, you can tell me all about it when I walk you home.” He’s still laughing when I shrug and finally agree.
After Rose checks me out with a grin and a wink, Oliver and I step out onto the sidewalk with me holding the shopping bags and him holding the inappropriately labeled box.