The speakers started playing Christmas tunes as Max hurriedly made the shop customer-friendly again.
Duncan tugged at his scarf absently, looking around a moment. “I wanted to take you out to lunch.”
“Really?”
He nodded.
That was unexpectedly sweet. I remembered him saying he’d come back, but had I really thought he would?
“Do you still have a boyfriend?” he asked next. “Last time you said you weren’t sure.”
Duncan’s question was innocent, but it hit me like a punch to the gut. No, I didn’t have a boyfriend, but in true human fashion, the only thing I wanted was what I couldn’t have. I stared at him again—Duncan was younger than me, which I was a little iffy about, but still, he was cute and persistent and was asking me out like it was normal. Like it was no big deal.
“I… don’t,” I slowly answered.
Duncan immediately looked up with a big smile. “Lunch, then?”
“What about Calvin?” Max spoke up from behind me.
I turned and waved a hand at him. “I don’t need your help,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Calvin?” Duncan echoed, his tone dropping.
I looked back at him. “It’s… nothing like that, don’t worry. Duncan, I’m not sure I can swing lunch today—I’ve been out all morning as it is and the shop has been closed.” I felt like a shithead. “But what about tomorrow? Maybe we can get brunch together.”
“Yeah! Please!” Duncan was grinning again. “Can I call you tomorrow?”
“Sure.” I reached into my pockets and felt around. “Let me find something to write my number on.”
But Duncan already had his cell out. “Just tell me and I’ll put it in.”
I recited the number to him.
Duncan programmed it into his phone before slowly saying, “Sebastian Snow,” as he spelled my name. He looked up with a smile while tucking his phone into his pocket. “I added a heart next to your name.”
“Oh.”Did people do that? Was that a good thing?
“So, then, I’ll call you in the morning,” Duncan said.
“Sounds good.”
“Is there anything I can do before I go?”
“Do? Oh, no, really. Thank you.”
Duncan moved close and pecked me on the lips, giving me a little kiss before I realized what he was doing. “Good-bye, Sebastian.” He smiled and tugged his scarf up close before leaving the shop.
Max was clucking his tongue behind me from the counter. “Hussy.”
I snorted while turning. “That coming from you.”
“You’re the one with the spicy ginger, though.”
“It’s not like that.”
Max laughed.
“What?” I asked, confused. “Why the hell are you laughing?”
