(This is a series I've been working on... off and on for years. Part of it is my own experience in the book industry, a lot of it is fantasy. I think my writing has changed a lot over the course of writing them so sorry for any inconsistencies. I hope you enjoy.)
"Closing Procedures"
They rushed to close the store on time - a straggler had meandered in at five minutes to close, which was never a good sign. They had parked themselves by the magazine rack, grabbed one seemingly at random, and stood there reading with their back to the cash desk. Oblivious.
Jane and Chris looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Of course. It was a cold February night, and they wanted to get home. Home? Maybe not home. They'd been looking at each other all night; playful touches, lingering eyes. Lingering hands. Anyone watching them would probably assume something was going on. It wasn't. But it could be. Chris put his arm around Jane's shoulder, consoling her. The customer would be gone soon. We can lock up. Soon.
An impatient jingling of keys seemed to spur the customer on their way. Chris rushed to the door to lock it while Jane started the end of day procedures. The printed buzzed and spat out the daily numbers. Chris ran downstairs to get the safe open.
Jane printed the rest of the daily reports. Her mind wandered as she waited for the the forms to print. She thought absently about Chris' hands. His shoulders. She thought about what he might look like under his clothes.
Her mind snapped back to reality as the final report printed. She grabbed the till and took it to the basement. She could hear Chris struggling with the safe. He spun the dial, he spun it again. He spun it again and tried the handle and was met with nothing but resistance.
"Let me do it," Jane said, putting her hand on Chris' shoulder and pushing him gentle to the side. She knelt in front of the safe and deftly spun the dial. Right, then left, right again, left. There was a satisfying clunk as the latch turned and the door swung open.