Chapter 9
Another work day, another Bryce hanging around eating our snack food but not helping at all.
“Dude, you should just get a job here,” I say for what’s probably the hundredth time this summer.
“Shit, I’m not job material,” he says, tossing his head back to empty the last bits of chip crumbs into his mouth. “Your dad would hate me, and then our friendship would end.”
“I can’t get rid of your friendship no matter how hard I try,” I say with a snort. It’s a Tuesday and the surf shop is surprisingly slow today. Normally days in summer are never slow, because all the college students have no responsibilities in the way. But the sky is a little cloudy, so I guess the surfers are staying home and the sun bathers have better things to do.
I’m falling asleep behind the front counter when this girl walks into the shop. She’s around my age, cute, and with that nice girl look about her. You know—plain and simple. I like that look.
“Good afternoon,” I say, perking up from behind the counter. “If you need any help, let me know.”
“Okay, thank you,” she says with a friendly smile.
Bryce must be thinking the same thing I am, because he leans over and whispers, “Pretty and nice.”
“Number one and number two,” I whisper back, referring to my list of perfect girlfriend qualities. “It’s a good start.”
He nudges me with his elbow. We’re both watching the girl peruse the purses, both trying to make it seem like we’re not watching her. “Go talk to her. She if she fits any more of them.”
I shake my head. “I can’t hit on a customer.”
Dad’s not here right now, but that doesn’t mean he won’t walk in at any second and berate me for doing just that. Bryce rolls his eyes. “Friendly talk isn’t hitting on someone.”
“You go hit on her,” I say, not really meaning it, but I’m out of ways to tell him I won’t talk to her for fear of pissing off my dad. My brain isn’t exactly great at coming up with stellar and witty replies.
Bryce curls his lip, shaking his head. “Nah, she’s too cutesy. I like them sluttier.”
If Colby were here, he’d even the score, tell Bryce to shut his pie hole. But he’s not, so I let his dumbass comments go.
This morning, Maddie posted some photos of their trip to Madrid online. They seem like they’re having a great time, but I’m so ready for my best friend to come back. Bryce helps kill the boredom, sure, but it’s hard not constantly strangling him.
My phone buzzes, pulling me from my daydream about vacationing in a foreign land.
Jenny:What’s up hottie?
I heave a sigh that’s so great it can probably be heard across the Atlantic Ocean. “Uh oh,” Bryce says, leaning over to look at my phone. “Is it her again?”
I nod. “She won’t go away. I need to call the phone company again and make them block her number. I don’t care how long they make me wait on hold.”
The pretty girl finally chooses a purse, and brings it up to the counter. I shove my phone back in my pocket, promising myself to call and have Jenny’s number blocked as soon as possible.
“Did you find everything you need?” I ask, trying to remember all of the items on my girlfriend list.
She nods. “Seeing as how I didn’t exactlyneeda purse, I found more than I need.”
I laugh. “Hey, that’s good for business.”
She smiles, and digs around in her old purse for her wallet while I ring up her purchase. From a few feet over, I can tell Bryce is burning a hole in my back with how hard he’s watching me, waiting for me to make a move on her. But I won’t. Not on the first day she stops by; it’s unprofessional and just creepy. Maybe if she comes back soon to shop again, I’ll talk to her more. Start up a friendship, that kind of thing.
“Thirty-two sixteen,” I say, putting her purchase into a Flying Mermaid shopping bag.
She hands me her credit card, and that’s when I see the giant sparkling diamond on her left ring finger.
Damn.
Looks like it’s back to square one in the girl department, as always.
