I was glad I wore my leggings and snug vest top, I thought, as I saw him. My top cropped just the right amount, not too much skin, but enough to tempt a look of my flat stomach. I always liked the way he couldn't help checking me out. Trying desperately not too, but always failing. He tried to do it discreetly but was awful at it.
I had bitterly regretted my choice on the way to the shop. It had been lovely and sunny when I left, but had started darkening by the time I had arrived.
He hadn't seen me yet. His attention on the items on the shelf in front of him. I pretended not to see him and put my basket down. I looked for something on the top shelf and tried to reach it, not even sure what 'it' was.
I stretched my petite body tight as I went on the tip of my toes. At 5'3 I wasn't the tallest. My flat stomach tightened and my ribs stretched the skin of my thin waist. My small pert breasts pushed out against my top. An over the top display I know, but I hoped he was looking.
"Hi Hannah," he said. I smiled inside, pretending to be surprised to see him. "Need a hand?" He reached past me and took what I was aiming for, passing it into my hand.
"Hi Tom. Thanks," I said. Dropping to the balls of my feet. Slightly flustered. I imagined him looking at me when he approached, and it made heat rise in my lower abdomen. I turned to him and smiled up at him. "It's a pain being short sometimes."
"Especially when you need those... er... Organic Chia seeds?" he said. I looked at the pack, hoping they weren't too expensive. "What do you do with them?"
I died slightly inside, instantly turning pink. "Just... um... cook stuff," I said lamely. I didn't have a clue what you did with them. For fucks sake Han. I cursed myself. "How are you?" I tried to change the subject.
"Good thank you," he replied. "I was just off to see your dad actually. I need to pick his brains."
"Good luck with that," I said. Trying to be funny. "Not much there." He laughed politely and I cursed myself again. Why was I so pathetic around him? Well, I knew why. I fancied the shit out of him. He was my dad's friend though. Even without the mammoth age gap it was wrong on many levels. Didn't stop me fantasising though. That big juicy...stop it Han. I caught myself staring like an idiot.
"I didn't realise you were back," he said.
"Only for the holidays," I said. "A little break from all the hard studying, and nights out."
"Tough life?" he said.
"Very," I said. "My liver probably looks like it's been humped by a rampant Incredible Hulk."
"Wow. A randy Hulk," he said, laughing. "Now there's an image I can't get out of my head."
"That's an image I don't want to get out of my head," I said. Laughing with him.
"Oh god no," he said. "I refuse to believe my school friend's daughter is old enough to make comments like that."
"Hey, I'm 18 now," I said. "Believe it. You're officially an old man. I mean a good looking old man, but still ancient."
"Thanks," he said. Laughing. "I think." We looked into each other's eyes. I held his look. It felt like a long time.
"Right. Okay then," he said, breaking the silence. "Guess I'll see you at yours in a bit."
"I'll walk back with you," I said, a little too quickly, and forcefully. I cringed. I needed to get my shit together. I saw him hesitate at his answer. "Sorry, we don't have to." Damn it. What was I thinking?
"I'd like that," he said, quickly. Obviously sensing my discomfort. I smiled. I knew he was being polite. It was sweet. "I just..."
"Worry what my dad would think," I finished for him. "We'll be okay. We'll have our clothes on."
"That's good," he said, smiling. "Okay then. I'm heading to the checkout. I'll meet you outside when you're done." He wandered off to pay and I stood there and watched his tight bum walk away, squeezed nicely into his jeans. His squeezable firm bottom. I shook my head again, seriously get it together Han, I thought. This was dangerous territory.
I continued my shopping, and went to pay. Luckily my new seeds were only a couple of pounds. I just hoped I could find a use for them, I didn't like waste. I checked my hair on the self service screen, running my fingers through the long dark strands. Letting it fall back down my back, feeling it caress my bare shoulders.
I met Tom at the door, he was waiting inside and staring out. I could see why. It was raining hard.
"Love this country," I said as I neared. I was going to get soaked.
"Mmm, not good," he said, turning to me. He looked down at my white top, I felt myself going red again. "Especially for you."
"I wasn't exactly expecting rain," I said, defensively. It was a shocking error on my part though. Especially seen as I hadn't bothered to put a bra on.
"Have you noticed the weather the last two weeks?" he said. "Or do you student's never go out!"
"Cheeky bastard," I said, laughing.
"Here you take this," he shrugged his coat off. A tight t-shirt underneath. Things were looking up. "It's better my nipples show than yours."
"Why what's wrong with my nipples?" I said, offended.
"Oh god," he blurted. "No...I...you've got great nipples." He noticed me smiling, winding him up.
"Wow thanks," I said. "Great nipples. Too smooth Tom." I laughed. He pulled the coat back.
"You can get wet for that," he said. He looked good as he smiled. I fought to behave myself. Too late for that, I had almost said. I snatched the coat off him.
"You've already offered," I said, putting it on. It was huge on me.