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8
‘Oh my God, thank God you’re here,’ Jen said, rushing out from behind the counter when Chloe appeared.
‘Whoa, what’s happening?’
‘I really need to pee.’
Chloe couldn’t help but laugh. ‘Jeez, okay, go, go!’
The shop had been non-stop today. Usually there was no issue with finding a pee break, but today? No chance. The looming weekend and Annie’s social media posts had created the perfect storm, and Jen was all for it. The till had never worked so hard outside of Christmas.
Relieved, Jen returned to a cheery Chloe. ‘Thank you. I was close to disaster.’
‘Any time. So, how did last night go?’
Jen shrugged, not wanting to give much away.
‘Oh my God, you enjoyed yourself. You actually enjoyed yourself. Hot damn.’
‘Alright, steady,’ Jen replied, unable to hide a smile. ‘Now move out the way. I need to do the till.’
The truth was, Holly’s appearance last night had thrown her. Yes, she was the same petulant wind-up merchant she’d met at the event, but looks-wise, she’d well and truly thrown a spanner in the works. Jen had expected someone totally different, given the polo ensemble from the matchmaking event, but had that been something to do with soaking her earlier? She couldn’t remember. The whole thing had been a massive blur. All Jen had focused on was finding a way to get the ground to swallow her up from sheer embarrassment, not what the poor soaked woman had been wearing.
It wasn’t often Jen got flustered, but last night was something else. Holly had looked great. It had taken all Jen had to not focus on the curves of Holly’s body; the way the dress cinched in just where it was needed.
‘Has that gone through?’
‘Huh?’
‘Has that gone through?’ the customer repeated, her card poised over the reader.
‘Oh, yeah. You’re good. Thank you.’ Jen shook her thoughts free. This wasn’t the time nor the place.
‘Hey, how’s it going?’ asked the next customer, a fortysomething guy with a handful of cocktails and a set of glasses.
‘Hey, yeah. Good thanks, and you?’
‘Cracking. I saw your pictures online; looked like a good date. Did you have a good time?’
‘Yeah, really good, thanks.’ He wasn’t the first to ask. The day had been filled with people wanting the backstage goss. She was getting the hang of saying what they wanted to hear. Holly had come up with a plan – a slow-burn romance – and they’d agreed on what would be appropriate in public. So far, hand-holding was as far as they would go. ‘Too early to tell, but I think we clicked.’
She could feel Chloe’s stare burning into her neck, but chose to ignore it.
‘I could tell from the pictures. Think you’ll see each other again?’
‘Try and stop us,’ Jen replied with a chuckle. Chloe was going to give her a permanent scar with that look. Time to get rid. ‘Can you grab me some replen, Chloe?’
‘Sure,’ she replied, her voice dubious.
‘Brill. Just the usual suspects, please.’
Chloe slinked off without another word.
The customer beeped their card, taking the till total to four figures. That was usually reserved for December. ‘Can’t wait to try these. I’ll be back, I’m sure of it!’
‘I’m sure you’ll love them. Happy Lovefest,’ Jen said with a wink.Jesus fuck. Who the hell have I become?!
‘You’ve changed your tune,’ Chloe jibed as she placed a box of pouches on the counter.
