5 Chapter 5

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Twenty minutes later, I was back at work, this time manning the pineapple peeling machine for customers who wanted the fruit without the tough outer skin.

Darlene left early so Ry could get more of a handle on doing things on his own. I personally didn’t think he’d have any problems. From what I’d seen so far, he was fair and courteous toward everyone, and firm where necessary. I wondered if he’d stay here long or move on in a year or two. He seemed the type who could make it into senior management without a sweat.

Right before it was time for me to go off shift, a customer approached and cleared his throat to get my attention from where I was bent over a box of avocadoes. “Excuse me,” a deep voice said.

I straightened and said, “How can I help you, sir?” before gaping in shock. “Roger Whitmore?”

Never in a million years would I have expected to see my old roommate from college standing before me, slightly overweight and wearing a Pepsi delivery uniform. He looked handsome and happy.

“How do you…?” he began, then his eyes widened in recognition. “Ohmigosh, Georgie Baldt? Fuck!” He pulled me into a tight embrace, something I would have never expected, then stepped back. “How’ve you been, man?”

Still stunned, I tried to give a coherent answer. “I’m, um…okay, I guess. It’s a shock seeing you here and, well…” I gestured to his attire and he laughed.

“I know, right? Guess what. That political science degree didn’t do me any favors, not when I started swimming with the sharks on the hill. I worked there as long as I could stand it, got an ulcer, paid off my student loans, and found something less stressful.” He chuckled. “That’s life. What about you? You were top of the class the whole way through. How come you’re not in management?”

“Not much out there for a Liberal Arts major who’s a bit of an introvert. Unlike you, I’m still paying off my student loans.”

He frowned. “You’re wicked smart, Georgie. That commencement speech you gave is something I’ll never forget. You said there’s no worth in life unless you find the thing that satisfies you, gives you peace. I took that to heart, albeit years later, and here I am. You don’t sound like you believe that anymore.”

I moved around an avocado and briefly caught Ry glowering in my direction. Strange. I continued, “Unlike you, I haven’t had an epiphany. I just need to pay my bills, you know? Anyway, while it’s good to see you, you said you needed something?”

“Oh yeah! My boyfriend likes that field roast loaf stuff. Do you know if there’s any in stock? I walked all over the store and didn’t find it.”

I pushed the half-empty box of avocadoes under the display and gestured for him to follow me. “It can be tricky to locate, depending on how the endcaps are set up.” I led the way to the exact spot and handed him one of the loaves. “So you have a boyfriend? I never pegged you as the settling-down type.”

He smiled, his cheeks reddening. “I didn’t either. College was wild and I enjoyed every minute, but when I left, the real world and responsibilities hit me and I had to grow up fast. I learned what I really wanted and what I was looking for. And then Malik came into my life. We moved here last year for his job, and I was able to find work. He usually does the shopping, but he’s sick today, so I took a break from my route to get the groceries done.”

Sounded romantic, actually. Who knew that underneath all that sex-crazed attitude had been a nice guy who’d eventually settle down?

“You know,” he continued, “I wanted to do you the whole time we roomed together, but you never seemed interested, no matter how many times I brought guys over to fuck, trying to tempt you.”

As if. Could I admit my crush now, after all this time? “I was interested, but I know I’m not wank material, and the guys you brought over were way out of my league. I used my fist and left it at that.”

Roger seemed confused. “No wayyou believe that. You were a hot little number, buddy, even with the Goth stuff. Still are. You’re dating someone, right?”

I laughed, the sound almost sad. “Not even.”

“Why not? What about that guy that gave me the stink eye as you led me over here?”

Huh? “Which guy?”

“His nametag said ‘Ry.’”

I could think of no reason why that would be. I brushed it off. “Nah. He’s probably just frowning because of the time I’m spending away from my duties. I need to get back to work.” I held out my hand. “It was great to see you, Roger. All the best, huh?”

He gave me another hug, and a kiss on the cheek this time. “Now I know where you work, maybe you, me, and Malik can get together sometime. In fact,” he said, pausing while he took out a business card and wrote on the back of it, “here’s my mobile. Text me anytime and we’ll hang out, okay? Please.”

Surprising myself, I said, “I’d like that.”

“Great.” A final hand squeeze, and he went to join one of the lines at the front of the store.