A.B. sent a group text about free donuts and drinks. Five people showed up. I was glad, because I got to see my old co-workers.
After consuming as many donuts as they could, Jessica pulled me away from everyone as we headed to the checkout counter. She unlinked her arm from mine and looked at me.
I grinned, "What did I do?"
Jessica sighed with a big smile on her face. "Why did you leave us?"
That's right. I didn't get the chance to tell my former co-workers. "I got an opportunity to become chase my dream."
She smacked her lips. "We all know that, but instead of hearing it from you, we heard it from A.B. And as fine and fun as he is, we haven't done anything like this since you were last here. Remember the cookoff competition?"
I know I'm older than Jessica, but I was feeling like a child as I listened to her.
"Of all the days I've been working here, I remember that day the most," she informed me.
"Jessica, A.B. is just filling in for his uncle. He can't do stuff like that all the time," I tried to explain.
Jessica rolled her eyes with such exaggeration. I thought her eyes were going to roll out of her head. "We're grown, right? So listen to me when I tell you... read between the lines, girl."
I stretched my neck. "Could you just tell me wh--"
"Jessica, I thought you wasn't working today!"
I turned around to see Nate, Brivona, A.B., and the new employee Tempest.
Nate ran toward Jessica, but stopped a few inches from her face. "You on the clock?"
"Boy, move!" Jessica held her hand up in annoyance. "If you were listening instead of eating all the donuts, you would've heard me ask A.B. if I can work today."
Nate licked hips lips. "You better be working. There will be no slackers on my watch."
"What time do you clock out today?" Jessica asked Nate as he walked behind the counter.
"At five. Why?"
Jessica looked at A.B. who stood next to me.
As if he could read her mind, A.B. said, "Jessica, you can leave at noon."
"Thank you!" She left us to go organize the instruments on every aisle.
Brivona asked, "Can I take a late lunch?"
A.B. thought before replying with "Is 3 o'clock okay?"
Brivona nodded her head. "I'm going to check the voice messages and emails." She waved and joined Nate behind the counter. Even though it wasn't too obvious, her eyes said it all. She was in love with A.B.
Tempest yawned, "Well, I'll be back at 1 o'clock, bro. Jamie, thanks for the breakfast. Buh-bye, everyone!" She made her loud exit before walking out the store.
"Where did you find her?" I asked A.B.
"She found us. She's a student at East Grove College. She's studying to be a HVAC Technician."
"Really? That's amazing. I'm rooting for her," I confessed.
"Earlier this week, the refrigerator wasn't working. She fixed it. Dave said he is going to be her first client after she graduates this summer."
I added, "Dave is the best. He knows how to treat his employees, and you're just like him."
A.B. tapped his temple. "Dave knows what's important - relationships."
I agreed.
The door bell alerted us of a customer walking inside.
"Good morning!" A.B. greeted the customer.
"Good morning! Man, I got a question for you." The customer put on his glasses before holding up his phone. "I found this instrument online, but I wanted to see if y'all had it here."
"Yes, sir," A.B. turned to me, "I'll be back."
"Okay." I went looking for Jessica when Brivona blocked my path.
I smiled at her. "Hey, Brivona! Are you working full-time now?"
She nodded her head, "Yeah. I like it, because I make more money. I'm trying to save up for a car. I wanted to buy A.B.'s old car, but he said it had too many problems."
"What kind of car do you want to buy?"
Brivona thought as she looked up at the ceiling. "Umm... I really like A.B.'s car now. So, like maybe something like that."
She was so innocent and cute. I chuckled, "I think if you save up enough money, you'll be able to get any car you want. Will it be your first car?"
"Yeah. I'm tired of walking and asking people for rides. I want to be more independent."
"Follow me," I heard A.B. say as he and the customer walked passed us to the aisles of instruments.
I glanced at Brivona and her teeth were exposed as she watched A.B. walk away.
"Do you like A.B.?" I whispered to her.
Brivona's eyes bucked before she covered her mouth, laughing nervously. I couldn't help but to laugh with her. Then, she waved at me to follow her. We ended up going to the restroom.
Brivona didn't hesitate. "I know we could never talk like that, because he's like my boss and everything, but like.... I used to dream about boys that act like him, look like him and everything. His face is so beautiful, and his personality just draws you in. He can really talk to anybody, and instantly become friends with them. And he's smart. Last week, the registers weren't working and he never once pulled out his phone to give the customer's their total. He just added it up all in his head like a calculator. I just feel like I could learn so much from him, you know?"
What did I get myself into? "Hmmm..." I thought before saying, "It sounds like you really like him."
Brivona blushed, "Oh, my goodness! I shouldn't have told you all of that. I forgot you and A.B. were close. Please don't tell him anything that I said."
"Brivona, no. I've known A.B. as long as I've known you. We're still getting to know each other."
Brivona was silent, but I could hear her mind thinking a million and one thoughts. "Can I ask you something?"
When will this end? I shrugged, "Of course."
"What would you do in my situation?"
Girl, I'm still trying to figure out my own life. She was so young, yet I I wanted to give her some encouraging words. So, I said the first thing that came to my mind. "I would be honest and tell him, but you have to be prepared to hear whatever he has to say. It could be that he likes you or that he doesn't like you."
Brivona twisted her lips as she stared at the floor. "That's why I can't tell him. I think I'm going to just wait. If he does like me, I think he'll tell me. If not, I'll eventually get over my feelings for him."
Why did she ask me for my advice? "Ready to get back to work?" I asked her.
Brivona nodded her head. She opened the door and walked out. I stayed to actually use the restroom. After washing my hands, I went back to the checkout counter to see a line of customers. It was nice to see that Music Bravos was getting so much business. I wouldn't be surprised if A.B. had something to do with it.
Behind the counter was Nate, Jessica, and A.B. checking customers out. Our eyes met, and we were like that for a few seconds. I broke our staring competition to catch my breath. Brivona wasn't lying. He is fine.
To keep myself occupied, I revisited one of my favorites - housekeeping. I grabbed the broom and dustpan and swept every aisle and corner of the store. I was actually glad to be doing something other than sitting around.
Once I reached the front door, I heard Jessica's voice. "You don't even realize you're making it worse by doing that." She swung her purse over her shoulder.
"What are you talking about now, Jessica?" She was starting to remind me of Monica. By the way, I'm surprised she still hasn't called me.
"If you haven't figured it out by now, then you will sooner or later. Have a good weekend!" She walked passed me and out of the store.
I took the broom and dustpan back to the breakroom. I patted my forehead with the back of my hand while looking at the vending machine. I thought eating those three donuts would hold me until lunch time, but suddenly my stomach was feeling empty. I turned around to wash my hands at the sink.
Then, I heard someone walk in. "You didn't have to sweep the entire store, but thank you."
I smiled at the sound of his voice. I dried my hands with a paper towel before looking at A.B. "You're welcome. I even broke a sweat."
"I see," he looked at me. "Are you hungry?"
"Starving," I answered.
"Let's go get food." A.B. led the way.
I followed him, "You're taking your lunch break early."
"It's a little after twelve." He told me as we walked out the store to the parking lot.
I quickly searched my jeans pockets for my phone. He had to be lying. "It is not 12 o'clock."
A.B. showed me the time on his phone. He wasn't lying.
"How long was I sweeping for?" I asked him.
"For a while. You were zoned out." A.B. pulled out his car keys. "We can go in my car."
"Oh... okay. Wait, I think I left my phone in my car." Which would make a lot of sense.
I opened my driver's car door. Not only was my purse on the floor of the passenger's side, it was wide open. My wallet, phone, and car keys were exposed. See what happens when you try to carry too much at one time? I rolled my eyes as I closed my purse and grabbed it. Today could've definitely taken a different route. I locked my car doors before getting in A.B's car. It had that new car smell. Too much of a new car smell. Something is not right. It was way too clean to be a used car.
"What do you have a taste for?" He asked me.
"Pasta. Lasagna is my favorite. I like Chicken Alfredo, too."
"I like those, too. Have you been to this restaurant called Pasta Y Pizza?"
I thought to myself. "Yeah, but it's not in East Grove."
"It's about a 15 minute drive from here."
I asked, "What about your lunch break?"
"I have two hours. We're good," he assured me. "I meant to apologize for my alarm waking you up this morning."
I slowly lowered my head. "Please don't remind me. I was screaming turn it off like I was at my place."
"It's still your place."
"Yeah, but the lease will be up soon. Is that why you don't have most of your stuff there?" The only thing I could point out that belonged to A.B. was the TV, the bed sheets, covers, and pillows, the alarm clock, and... "I didn't even see your clothes."
"I have them in my suitcase. It's big enough to fit 2 weeks worth of clothes, 4 pairs of shoes, hygiene and smaller things."
"I forgot you used to stay at the hotel."
A.B. said, "I had to make it work. I've looked at a few apartment complexes, and I'm narrowing it down to three: the apartments by the grocery store, the new apartments that are being built next to East Grove Community College, and your apartments." He turned on his left blinker when we got to a red traffic light.
"The one by the grocery store is where my cousin stayed before she became a big YouTuber. They're not as old as my apartments, and the rent is average. When are the new apartments being built?"
A.B. made a left turn on the green arrow. "I should say they're being reconstructed. It's an old property that's about 8 stories tall. The first floor or ground floor is going to be for the different stores and restaurants, and the above floors will be residential."
"Really? That's going to be the most modern thing in East Grove," I admitted.
"It won't be ready until next year, though."
The words left my mouth before I could process them. "Since I'm here for a week, I can help you narrow down your apartment hunting search if you want?"
A.B. looked over at me. "I'll take all the help I can get. What else do you have planned while you're here?"
"Just spending time with family... Do you work tomorrow?"
A.B. was quick to say, "No."
We arrived at Pasta Y Pizza restaurant and were seated in a quiet corner for two. I opened the menu to see a beautiful photo of Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo. I closed my menu.
A.B.'s eyebrows furrowed.
"What?" I asked him.
"You opened then closed your menu."
I chuckled, "Oh! I already know what I want."
"You do?"
I slightly danced as I replied, "I do, I do, I do, I doooo." My voice was similar to Kel when it came to his orange soda.
A.B. laughed, "I never knew you were so funny."
"There's a lot you don't know about me. Now that I think about it, there's a lot that I don't know about you, sir. Like, what does A.B. stand for?"
A.B. laughed louder, "A.B. is my nickname."
"So, the B doesn't stand for Bravos?"
He seemed to enjoy my curiosity as he leaned forward. "It does. The B stands for Bravos, but my first name is Jace. When I was a kid, my little cousin had a hard time pronouncing my name. She would just say A, instead. Overtime, my family would call me A and then A.B."
"I would've never thought that your name is Jace. You look more like... A.B."
We laughed together. Just then, the waiter greeted us. After taking our orders, he collected our menus and said he'll return with our drinks.
"I've been here more than a few times, and I haven't tried their Chicken Alfredo," A.B. admitted.
"Today is your lucky day. Wait, I said that like I've had it before." I rolled my eyes.
A.B. cleared his throat, "I've had their other dishes, and they were all good. So, this should be good, too."
"That's what matters - that it's good." I continued, "Not to change the subject, but... I probably shouldn't be telling you this." I shouldn't be telling him this.
A.B. waited for me to finish.
"Please don't share this with anyone."
A.B. looked at me with concern in his eyes.
"Brivona likes you... a lot."
A.B. dropped his head before looking at me. "I had a feeling she did."
"You already know?"
"It's a little easy to know when someone likes you, isn't it?" A.B. asked me.
I narrowed my eyes at the table as I thought about his words. "I... I guess so."
The waiter returned with my Mango Sweet Tea and A.B.'s Lemonade. After quenching our thirsts, it became quiet.
A.B.'s phone rang. He apologized before answering it. I've never met anyone who did that before. I wasn't paying attention to what he was talking about. I was too busy watching his mouth, even his jawline when he clinched it. It must've been a bad call. His eyes seemed darker than before, but they were still amazing to look at. Right then, he looked at me, and his eyes seem to brighten back up.
I quickly opened my purse to pull out my phone. I can't believe I haven't checked it in all this time. Surprisingly, I had no missed calls. I didn't have any text messages, either. If something was wrong, my mom would' call me for sure.
"Sorry about that," A.B. hung up his phone.
"Is everything alright?"
A.B. sighed, "Honestly, no... but it's not an emergency or anything. What day do you leave?"
"Oh, Wednesday morning," I answered.
"On Monday, I'm driving to Yellow Sand Beach for business. It's a two hour drive from here, but there's a lot of places and things to stop and see along the way. I would like it if you could go with me, but only if you want to." A.B. took a sip of his Lemonade.
My eyes opened wide. "Really? Thank you for inviting me, because I have no solid plans while I'm here. Besides, I've only been to the beach one time in California."
"One time?" A.B. continued, "I understand, because you've been busy with your career."
I'm just going to pretend that that's exactly why I've only been to the beach once in California.
Minutes later, our food arrived smelling like a dream come true to my stomach. Like the consistent man he is, A.B. prayed over our food. Then, we dug in.