A trip to the local discount store isn't exactly one of my favorite things, but I had to be there. I was picking up provisions for tomorrow's second grade picnic ~ I was in charge of soda, ice, charcoal, and the like. It was warm out for early May and I was wearing denim shorts, a tee shirt, and a pair of orange flip flops. As I flipped through the aisles, I couldn't help but notice a man following me. I mean, I know it's pretty common to run into the same person while shopping, but I began to wonder if this one was on purpose.
I stole a look at him as I loaded bottle after bottle of soda into the cart. He was pretty cute, dark brown hair, about 5'6" with a trim build. He was clad in khaki shorts, a polo shirt, and flip flops, completely relaxed and at ease. He was pretending to study the different varieties of soda and didn't notice that I caught him checking out how my tee shirt lifted and exposed my lower back when I stood on tiptoe for the last bottle of root beer. He even grinned a little.
I turned away from him and smiled. A cute boy noticed me! How about that?
I checked my watch. It was nearing ten a.m. and I still had lots to do before school ended for the day. I shook off the compliment and headed toward the check out. The lines were long for whatever reason and I stood there, mindlessly looking over the magazine rack when Mr. Cute pulled in behind me.
I glanced back at him, and he smiled at me. I turned away and thought "Oh my gosh!" Taking a deep breath, I noticed the checkout belt was clearing and my turn in line was next. I quickly began piling things up, occasionally dropping one or two item. Cute turned into Helpful then.
"Hey, let me grab that for you." He said, picking up a cucumber and handing it to me. His voice was a rich Southern drawl and I began to blush.
"Oh gosh, thanks." I said, reaching over to take it from him. His fingertips brushed mine and I jerked back, knocking candy of the shelf. "Oh no!" I said, quickly turning and bumping magazines off the rack. I stood stock still and covered my face with my hands.
Helpful laughed. "Are you alright?" he said, his voice a soothing tone.
"Just mortified is all." I said, my voice muffled by my hands. I lowered them and then, with his help, began clearing things up. We didn't speak a word, but I couldn't help notice his eyes peeking down my top. So I did what any girl would do. I leaned over further.
"Thank you." I said as I straightened and walked down to being filling my cart with the items the checker had already bagged.
"My pleasure. You have a good day, now." Helpful said, smiling at me, his hazel eyes dancing. My stomach did a little flip at his grin and at the expression on his face. Suddenly, it was very warm in the store. I checked out and headed to the car. Only, when I got there, I noticed my husband had left his golf clubs in the trunk. With two car seats in the back seat, there was no way I would be able to get the cooler I had purchased home. What a mess.
I stood there, contemplating what to do, when Helpful walked up behind me. "Everything alright?" he asked, standing closer than a stranger really should. So close, in fact, his arm brushed my shoulder.
"No." I said, unable to keep the whine out entirely. "I bought this cooler and I don't have room for it. I don't think tying it to the roof will work."
"No, I don't think that would." He said with a laugh. "Hi, I'm Scott, by the way. You are ... "he held out his hand.
A bit startled I said, "Libby. Nice to meet you." I gave him my hand and was instantly rewarded with a warm, strong handshake. His hand was soft, but you could tell he'd done plenty of work with them. I caught myself wondering what it would feel like on other parts of my body.
Whoa .... I stopped myself, realizing he was speaking. "....since you live so close, I'd be happy to drop it off for you." He waited for an answer.
"I'm sorry, what?" I said. Gosh, it was awfully warm out today.
Scott grinned at me again. "You live down the street from me. You're the yellow house on the end of the cul-de-sac. I'm going right home so I'll be happy to bring this for you."
"You would? Oh that's wonderful!" I said, smiling broadly. In minutes we had all the items loaded and were pulling into my driveway in no time.
As I grabbed bags from the trunk, Scott was getting out of his car. "Really have to thank you for this." Scott pulled the cooler out and brought it into the garage behind me. "Oh, it's no problem. I'm happy to help out a girl in need."
I nudged the door to the house open with my hip. "Helping me and flattering me all in one day. We should become friends." I said with a smile.
"Oh we definitely should." Scott said, following me inside and helping me with the rest of the items. When everything was in, I closed the door and headed to the cabinet.
"The least I can do is offer you a drink. Soda, water, tea?"
"Glass of water would be great, thanks." We took our drinks at the counter, sipping and watching each other but not saying a word.
I put my glass down, so did Scott. Without a word, he reached around and removed the clip from my hair, freeing my auburn locks to fall about my shoulders.