Page 11 of An Anomaly of Sunlight

“Skyler,” the woman coos, drawing out the last syllable, “who’s this gorgeous young lady?” I assume she’s talking about Nitasha, but my cheeks heat as I realize her finger is pointing toward me. Skyler steps up beside me, shooing Nitasha away.

“This is Amethyst. She’s just started and you’re our first customer today. Mind if she has a go at the register, Lady Maple?” The lady shakes her head, “Not one bit, I haven’t had anywhere to be in fifteen years since my Jasper passed.”

My eyes turn soft as she speaks of her lost loved one. “Alright,” Skyler starts, “now you’ll sign on the register with your employee I.D. Then you just scan everything, bag like items together, and hit the total button on the bottom right.” Nodding, I sign on and start scanning. Lady Maple is buying an odd assortment of items: empty vials, herb bundles, bread. None of which is out of the ordinary.

Yet she’s pairing all that with a pack of blood bottles. Now I’m wondering if mixed species are real and not just some scary bedtime story. My knowledge of the paranormal is embarrassingly slim. Despite my declaration to stay away, I can’t damp down the spark of curiosity. It looks like I’ll be doing some research in my free time.

My eyes instinctively look for Skyler’s as I bag the last item. He nods in approval, “Very good, Amethyst. Now just remember to hit that total button.” Against my will, I feel my cheeks heat at his praise. Taking a breath to steady myself, I follow his instruction.

“Right. Lady Maple, your total is thirty-three dollars and ten cents.” Her face lights up as she looks at me with an approving nod. “You’re a natural, dear.” She hands me forty dollars, and Skyler immediately continues my lesson. “You'll hit this button here for cash, and then type the amount given. The enter key will open the drawer and you’ll just get their change, then a receipt will print out on top.”

I go through those steps flawlessly, feeling like an expert. But as soon as I wave Lady Maple off, telling her to have a nice day, I forget almost everything I just learned. A sigh escapes me as both my hands thread through my hair. Shit. I haven’t worked a job like this in ages. Maybe I was kidding myself thinking I could do this.

As if sensing my inner turmoil, Skyler’s voice soothes my mind, “Don’t worry, Sunlight. You did great, you’ll catch on fast.” Did he... give me a nickname and another compliment?

“Sunlight?” The question comes out in a chuckle. Skyler’s cheeks warm as his eyes dart away from mine for the first time. “Sorry,” he laughs, “it’s just... your eyes.” His own finds their way back to mine with that intense gaze. “Like the sun’s radiance was captured in glass vials.”

I don’t get a chance to respond or even formulate a thought as Nitasha prances toward us. A strong, strawberry scent invading my nostrils. “What am I supposed to be doing today, Skyler?” She asks while rolling her eyes. Charming. I think if I was the boss, I wouldn’t let employees treat me disrespectfully, but I’m unsure of their dynamic.

Stealing one final glance at me, he turns to her. “You’ll be helping Amethyst learn the basics of the register. Olyver is supposed to be here around noon to start stocking, but one can never really be sure when he’s going to show up. Or if he’ll have a mysterious ailment.”

Nitasha tilts her head back and cackles — a true cacophony. “Please. That boy’s about as bright as a stormy night. Probably better he doesn’t show.” I rush to cover my mouth as if my hand can hold in my amusement. Skyler’s lips curve into a lop-sided grin, “A body is a body. If he can put up at least three totes, that’s three less for me.”

I quirk a brow at him, wondering if anyone besides him takes this job seriously. He shakes his head at me. He’s known me for a day and can communicate through looks? Incredible.

As if a summons was put out, there was suddenly a line of customers at the register. “Alright, call me if you need me. Nitasha, please don’t scare this one off.” Skyler quips, and I really don’t want to know what he means by scare off. “Don’t you worry. I’ll make sure Ame here is a professional by noon.” I jolt at the use of my stage name. Of all the nicknames, why did she have to pick that one?

My hands curl, fingernails digging into my palms as unpleasant memories flood my mind. Everything feels overwhelming. A voice breaks through my spiraling thoughts. A customer is calling for Skyler. My eyes act of their own volition, following him as he walks away.

By some miracle I am able to draw in a deep breath. I stare after Skyler even after he has disappeared down an aisle. Then reluctantly, I turn toward Nitasha, awaiting her direction.

After a couple of hours with Nitasha, she’s irritatingly grown on me. She’s far from the usual type of person I’d spend time with. She’s loud and brash, forcing herself into the center of attention. I typically prefer quieter and more pleasant company. My mind wanders to Evadne, and I hope she’s doing good.

But seeing how Nitasha and I are working together now, perhaps having one person here in Tarot Lake — besides Skyler and all the confusion that comes with him — to be friendly with wouldn’t be all that bad. None of my childhood friends are still around. I only have Mom.

“Okay, Ame honey, you can take your break first. I know you’ve been here an hour longer than me.” She winks as if being late is now a cute inside joke between us.

Huffing, I shake my head, “You’re a very interesting character.” I make sure to end with a grin, letting her know I’m teasing. “Rather be interesting than bland.” She comes back. “Just make sure you watch yourself in the back room. You have to be careful where you step around here.” She leans close to my ear, cupping her hand over her mouth as she adds, “There’s one particularly large snake in the grass.”

I recoil, going on the defensive too quickly, “Who? Skyler?” Nitasha’s laugh is vindictive, and I immediately wonder about the history between them. “You’ll find out,” is all she offers me. I shrug it off and clock myself out for lunch. I didn’t bring anything with me, but GGs is calling my name. I grab my keys and head for the door.

Just outside, I collide with a warm, solid body. Attempting to take a step back and apologize, my ankle rolls, sending me plummeting. A strong arm wraps around my back just as quickly, holding me steady. I no longer need my sight to know who I’ve crashed into. The warm feeling running through my veins, pooling in my chest, tells me it’s Skyler.

A new scent wraps around me. A lush forest, with a hint of whiskey. How have I never noticed it before? I could drown in it. In him. A declaration whispers up my throat. Mine.

The door squeaks as it opens, and a customer steps out. One of their bags brushes against my shoulder, sending me crashing back to reality. I jump out of his hold, my cheeks burning hot enough that I fear they’ll melt off.

“Sorry! Sorry... I’m headed for lunch. I’ll see you in an hour!” Without waiting for his reply, I dash to the Jeep, sinking as far into the seat as possible. This is trouble — he is trouble.

With just fifteen minutes left in my shift today, my mind has officially lost its ability to focus. I’ve mastered the basics of the register, regardless of my doubts from earlier. Between all the different key combinations and Skyler, though, my brain is mush.

No matter how intently I try to focus on the logistics of the job, my thoughts keep wandering to the way he caught me effortlessly. The feeling of his arm around me, and the way my entire body practically sang. The way mine almost slipped past my lips.

Skyler is in no way mine. But… What would it feel like for his hands to explore my body? Would this ecstasy continue, or are my veins only electric for his touch because it’s taboo?

“Excuse me,” I almost startle at the voice, “could you tell me which one of these is for suede?” Coming around the counter to see what the customer is asking about, I stop beside a quite large man with dark leathery wings. A demon. Taking a breath to steady myself, my eyes quickly scan the products he’s looking at.

It’s a small display of shoe supplies, and he seems to be inquiring about the cleaners. “Of course!” I nod, then freeze in disbelief as my gaze snags on a can which reads suede. I glance between the man and the can. I heard his question correctly... right?