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“Said what?”
“Oh, that Marley is Emmett’s girlfriend. Another long story, but they’re finally a couple. And ridiculously adorable.”
“Okay, Emmett and Marley.”
“Now the roommate, his name is Sully. He’s a totally different story. He’s like a fifty-year-old man trapped in the body of a college student.”
“Interesting.”
“Understatement of the year.”
“Is he, like, a jerk or just a little cranky?”
Hannah tilted her head to the side and pinched her lips closed, lost in thought. “He’s just…a character, but he’s also a decent guy. Sully has an opinion on anything and everything. Oh, and he’ll give you a nickname. Probably today. Don’t be offended.”
“I’ll try not to.”
“Um, let’s see…his girlfriend is Wendy. You’ll know her immediately by the combat boots and jet-black hair. She’s obsessed with horror movies.”
“Is everyone here a part of a couple?”
“Oh,”—Hannah blushed—“no, just those four. The rest of us are single or seeing someone outside the store.”
“Got it.”
“Dutch is our quirkiest employee, but he knows his movie trivia, and the customers love him.”
“Dutch? I’ve never heard that before; is it a nickname?”
“Nope, he says it’s on his birth certificate. He’s awesome; just try not to be bothered by his…unique smell.”
“Smell? Does he bathe?”
“Oh, yeah, I mean, most of the time,” Hannah said with a laugh. “He always smells like he’s come home from a Dead concert.”
She tipped her head forward, trying to stay professional. I decided to put her out of her misery. “So, he’s a stoner?”
Hannah closed her eyes and nodded. “Thank you. I didn’t feel right saying it. Last but not least is Naomi. She looks like a Hollywood starlet and can be just as opinionated as Sully, but she’s a good person and a great employee. Her boyfriend, Ben, used to work here, too.”
I took in a deep breath, trying to process everything Hannah had told me. I was terrible with names and was worried I’d forget every detail she’d given me.
“Sorry, was that too much info?”
“No, no, it’s fine. Who am I working with today?”
“Sully and Emmett are at the desk, and another trainee named Kevin is starting today. The two of you will learn the ropes together and have someone to lean on during your first few weeks. Since you already worked at Spotlight, though, you’ll probably have to help him more than he’ll help you. Sorry about that.”
“No, it’s all good.” I shook my head. “I haven’t worked there in almost a year, so I’m a little rusty. I could use a little retraining.”
“Cool,” Hannah said, handing me a timecard. “Hey, how’s Oden? Are you guys doing the long-distance thing?”
A shot of adrenaline crashed through my abdomen at hearing his name for the first time in months.
“I, um, I don’t know. We broke up.”
“Oh, crap, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. Greener pastures and whatnot.”
