The Man With The Big Heart (A Joe Walker Love Story)

“By Kenzie, I’m going to work!” I yelled to my friend. Currently, Kenzie and I are living together, since it’s easier to split the cost of a house with a friend. We lived in a small house at the end of a very small complex. I’m not complaining I love the house; it’s just that it would be a bit more convenient if it was bigger.

I grabbed my bag and headed out the door, not waiting for I response. I worked at the book store. It was a small shop, but since I loved writing and reading, it was a perfect place for a first job. I worked 7 hours a day. Since I was out of college, I had a lot of free time on my hands.

I walked to the book store. I didn’t believe in wasting the bus’s gas for what would be a 10 minute walk from my house. It was the in the middle of winter  and it was freezing. You see, our work uniform wasn’t very specific; As long as your clothes were plain and not to revealing they were allowed.

I crossed the street that lead to Old Tales book store. When I opened the door the small bell chimed to let everyone know someone was entering.

“Hi Stef!” my friend Bethany greeted me. I smiled. We had both started working here this summer, and we were instantly friends. She waddled over with a big stack of books in her hands. I hurried over and took half of the stack and started putting away the books.

“Thanks Stef, Gale told me to put these new books into the spot where the authors are, and I guess I tried to take too many at once,” she giggled. I just laughed and shook my head. Once we had all of the books on the right shelves, I put up the ‘Open’ sign on the door and we both went over to the counters.

“Oh!” she exclaimed, “I almost forgot to tell you that Gale said we’re the only one’s working today, she had some business to attend to.”

“Any idea what that business is?” I asked.

“Not a clue.”

*ding ding* Bethany groaned. “I’m going to go into the back storage area, I really don’t feel like dealing with a costumer right now,” she complained.

As she left, I muttered, “Gee, thanks for giving me the option…”

A guy that looked like he was in his twenties walked through the door. He had light brown hair, but you could barely tell because he had a black and red hat on his head. He was fairly muscular and looked like he was one to smile a lot. Ironically, he looked vaguely familiar…

Bethany instantly appeared beside me. “Ooh, he’s cute!” she said.

“I call dibs!” I told her before she could say anything else. She scowled but disappeared in the storage room once again. 

He walked over to where the bookmarks were. I took that opportunity to quietly walk up behind him. I tapped him on the shoulder and said, “Excuse me sir, do you need help finding anything?”

He replied, “No thanks, I think I’m going to get this.” He held up a sparkly bookmark that had a My Little Pony on it. I gave him a strange look. “Well, umm, just come up to the counter and I’ll ring that up for you.”

I lead him to the front and scanned the bookmark.

“My name’s Joe by the way.”

I looked up at him. “I’m Stefiana, but my friends call me Stef.”

He grinned. “Well, hello Stef.”

I smirked and said, “I said my friends. And may I ask why you’re getting a bookmark with sparkles and ponies on it?”

He shrugged. “My friend Nick wants one. Don’t ask me why. But you have to admit, the sparkles are pretty cool!”

“Maybe for girls, but you don’t seem like the type to enjoy sparkles and magical horses.”

“Well than obviously you don’t know me.”

I cleared my throat. “Well, seeing as I don’t know you, you can’t exactly blame me for being curious.”

“Haha, true enough,” he said while chuckling. I smiled. “Okay, that will be $2.99 Sir.”

“Call me Joe.”

I raised my brow but answered, “Fine than, Joe.”

He took the bookmark and I turned to walk into the storage room when he grabbed my arm.