3 Chapter 3

“You’ve met the new manager, right?” he asked as he dug into what looked like homemade hash browns with vegetables, and three slices of toast with butter. He was a big fan of carbs.

“Officially, yes.”

“Hot, yeah?” he said as he dug into his meal.

I thought about it. “Maybe.”

Buzz rolled his eyes. “Are you human, honey? Happily married I may be, but even I can appreciate that splendid beast of a man.”

I had no response to that. It didn’t matter if I’d felt at peace, somehow, just having Ry Archibald nearby. He’d seemed…familiar, but I was certainly not in his league. “I’m human, alright, but I’m also a realist. Guy like that probably has somebody already.”

“That’s not what I’ve heard.” Did I mention Buzz was a gossip queen? “Florence over in beauty told Patricia in baked goods who told mehalf an hour ago that Trent, the hussy at customer service, asked Ry if he was gay or bi or poly and single.”

I shook my head. “Trent is in heat twenty-four-seven.” He was a hot little number and he knew it. He’d slept with almost every willing male employee in the store, except Buzz and me—I didn’t meet his standards, he’d apparently told Buzz, and I knew my friend had no intention of straying from his husband. By all accounts, Trent was a good time, according to the grapevine. He had absolutely no shame, I thought, or maybe I was a little bit jealous of his ability to go after what he wanted, fearlessly.

“Exactly. Anyway, apparently Ry had smiled at him and said, ‘yes, I’m gay and single,’ and before the man could walk away, Trent had handed over his name and number on the back of a receipt.”

Wow. Even for Trent, that was fast work. Didn’t mean Ry would go for it, but what did I know? I still felt a little twinge in my chest at the thought. I rubbed the spot. I’d never reacted that way to anyone before, except that one time when I’d lost my virginity.

“He’s an adult. I’m sure he can handle himself,” was all I said, and finished my burritos

“Maybe you should give it a go. He’d bend you in half and you’d probably howl.”

I tried not to blush at his words. “I doubt that’ll ever happen. I’m no one’s prize.”

Buzz huffed in annoyance. “Stop saying that. You’re cute as a button with hidden depths. Come on, Georgie. You’ve worked two jobs for years and never complained, though I know you’re unhappy. You need something more in your life. Someone. It makes me sad to see you wasting away. You’re way too young for that.”

“I’m twenty-six, thank you very much.”

“You look eighteen, for which I hate you, by the way.” He winked, so I knew he was kidding.

I smiled. “I know you mean well, Buzz. I’m okay, promise.”

* * * *

After I clocked out a little after one-thirty, I grabbed my backpack and made my way through the store and out into the busy parking lot. It was a warm, early spring day, so I decided to walk home instead of taking the bus.

As I passed some of the tables outside the store, I heard someone call my name.

“Georgie!” a male voice said, stopping me in my tracks.

I turned and saw Ry Archibald waving at me from where he sat underneath an umbrella next to the store, having what I assumed was his lunch.

Surprised, I slowly made my way to where he sat and stood at his table. “Something I can help you with, sir?”

Ry’s brown eyes studied me before he said, “You don’t remember me, do you?”

My brow furrowed. “You seem vaguely familiar, but I can’t place you. Sorry.”

He gestured to the seat across from him. “Can you sit for a minute, or are you in a hurry?”

I adjusted the backpack strap on my shoulder. “I was heading home to rest for a little bit before my second job, but I have a few minutes.” I sat, mildly curious as to what he wanted.

“You’ve worked here for a long time?” he asked, going back to his soup and sandwich.

“Years, sir. Why?”

“Darlene said you were one of the best employees. You keep your head down, stay out of politics, and quietly get the job done.”

I was surprised at that. “I didn’t know she felt that way, sir.”

He smiled. “Call me Ry, Georgie. Everyone else does. Did you call Darlene ‘ma’am’ all the time?”

“Actually, I did for a few months until she threatened to fire me if I didn’t use her first name. Naturally, I complied. Nothing like the threat of unemployment to get staff to toe the line.”

Ry gave a crack of laughter. “So true.” The laugh had transformed his round, mature face into something wonderful. Geez, where’d that thought come from?

Once he calmed down, Ry became serious. “Before we go any further with our working relationship, I want to be forthcoming. Obviously you don’t remember me, but I remember you. It was years ago, at a gay bar. You were drunk and wanted to bust your cherry for your birthday. I helped you out.” He focused on his lunch again and I slumped in my chair, stunned.