Authors note.
~This is the 3rd chapter of their story. Each story/chapter can stand alone from the others. I'll give the husband his voice soon. He's not as weak as you imagined. I hope it gets interesting. I wish I could write it linear, but it's too fun jumping around different points of their lives, watching them grow. This couple isn't real by the way, they only come to life as you follow them.~ Thanks!
*****
I knew I wanted him watching his hands caress wood carving tools at Hartson's Hardware.
He was taking forever to make a choice, as if it was the most important decision he would ever make. Or the last.
I'd never seen anyone pay that much attention to anything in this old store, except me. It's why I've never had to work at anything. I was sexy. Old man Hartson hired me for a reason. Eye candy that didn't have a dress code.
His creaky hardware store was losing customers to the massive 'Do it all by Yourself!' superstore across town. When it broke ground, he knew what was coming, and tried anything to hang on. I guess I'd ride it out too. Maybe he'd leave me something in his will.
I'd never seen this hunk before. He was probably from the campus, here to play football. His body said jock, but the didn't clothes fit. He dressed like a worker.
Maybe he was just some stoner spacing out. I knew what that was like. Damned fun.
I perched behind the register, waiting for a closer look. He'd come to me. They all did, or wanted to. The ones that didn't were just shy, and needed a little prodding to open up. If I ignored them long enough, some of them left me the fuck alone. I knew which ones I wanted. The rest were just part of the fun.
They flirted by pretending they weren't. They might ask me the time, the hours I worked, or if I had a boyfriend, but would never ask me what I wanted.
Out.
It's not like I would've always said yes if they asked, so I answered with my eyes. A dead stare while chewing gum worked wonders. Even the most hopeful looks fell away, not catching on to what I meant, so I'd smile shyly, knowing what they really wanted. Just not the balls to try.
I intimidated them by doing nothing. They would script our next chat as they shuffled away, to hurry home and probably picture us together while beating off. Someday they'd learn to grow into men who knew what they wanted. Me.
Men were the ones who didn't ask.
He was taking forever, and I was getting bored. I filed my nails again.
I jerked a hunting magazine away from the rack, skimming over articles. It was so exhilarating learning where a doe liked to bed down for the night, close to her buck, feeling safe and protected.
I threw it in the trash can.
He kept looking, touching them, while I remained unnoticed. His kind of heaven was something I couldn't visualize or even begin to understand. I wanted what he seen and I began to feel jealous. He should know what he needs.
He couldn't make up his mind, so I made up mine. It was easy for me. I did it all the time.
I sauntered down the aisle and stood close to him, pretending to count stock. My perfume would pull him closer, within my reach, so I could drag him away. I never chased men who wouldn't follow me.