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“And I’ll be back at six-thirty.” He doesn’t move either. Instead, he plasters an even bigger smile on his face. He’s gorgeous, and I feel light-headed from his smile alone.
“Zennor!” I hear Molly calling, and I look to see her in the doorway. When she clocks who I’m talking with, her face softens a little, but I know I should get back to work.
“I’ll see you later.” It’s an effort to turn away and not look back, but I do it. I’ve got to be strong and not act like the wimp of a girl I feel like in his presence.
“Well, he’s keen.” Molly walks past me as I’m heading in and delivers the other orders I forgot to come back for.
I scowl playfully at her. Molly’s great—and teasing me. She’s young and fun, considering she’s my boss. If I do my bit, she’s happy. And it beats any of the other options in the town. You can walk around Tregethworth in no time, and while sometimes that adds to its charm, it can get lonely in winter.
The rest of the lunch rush is manic. It’s like all of the tourists arrived on mass, so by five, I’m shattered and don’t even have time to think of Jayce in all his glory. I finally take a break, and all of the thoughts I’d been holding off about our date consume me.
There’s not much in the way of date activity in Tregethworth—a handful of shops and cafes. No cinema or bowling alley, not that I’ve been on many dates to know what we’d do, but I’d imagined going somewhere beyond the confines of Tregethworth.
“Will you go and help in the shop?” Molly calls, and I look over to see a customer waiting. As well as the coffee shop, there’s a general store that also serves as the local post office at the far end—a community hub for many, and it ensures that there’s work for Molly to pay me.
“Sure.” I push myself back up and go get the mailing bags ready for collection.
“Why don’t you head off early? You might want to get ready for a certain someone tonight?” Molly teases as I finish up.
“I’m meeting him here. And besides, it’s not like I need to get dressed up.” I look down at my cut-offs and the worn but still favourite t-shirt I’m wearing, suddenly nervous that I’m not wearing anything remotely date-worthy. Perhaps I should change.
“What’s the plan, anyway?”
“No idea.” I shrug.
“Well, I want the details tomorrow. Now go.”
“Thanks, Molly.” I grab my bag from behind the till and walk home.
“Hi, Mum,” I call as I race through the door. In my room, I throw open my wardrobe and run my hands over all the t-shirts I lovingly hang up. I hate it when they get creased, so take the time to hang them up. After all, there aren’t many other styles of clothes to clog up the wardrobe. Finally, I settle on a bright blue surf brand and change into some figure-hugging jeans.
At work, I don’t wear any of my jewellery, so I put a couple of my pendants around my neck, re-do the bun my hair is in, and change my bag for a cross-body that isn’t so filled with sand.
“Bye, Mum.” She doesn’t respond, which is fine. She knows I won’t be out late. I’m hardly ever out in the evenings.
I walk back towards Molly’s, but this time, my breath catches due to nerves that have started to churn in my stomach. I’m still battling with them as I think back to the first time I saw Jayce. Even dripping wet from the water, he looked handsome, and I wanted to make an impression. I didn’t think it would lead anywhere, and now I’m excited.
For the first time.
About a boy.
The smile is impossible to remove from my lips as I walk the short distance back to Molly’s.
She clocks me as I come through the door, and I look around to see if Jayce has arrived yet. My stomach drops as I see he’s not here, but it’s only just gone six-thirty.
I hang out at the counter and refuse to turn when I hear the door snick closed, telling me somebody else has walked through. I hold my breath and wait until I feel like I’m about to burst and then give in, turning around only to see a couple in the comfy seats.
I rest my elbows on the counter and drop my head. This is stupid. It’s a casual date with a guy who’s here on holiday. It’s fun, that’s all. But there is a little voice in my head telling me that it’s more. After all, when was the last time a guy asked me out?
“Hey, ready?” Jayce’s hand pulls my shoulder to face him and sends my heart skipping with relief.
“Sure.” He’s in a crisp white t-shirt and smarter jeans than anything I’ve seen him in so far. His blond hair is still messy, long on top, shorter at the sides, but no cap tonight.
“Great. Come on.”
“What’s the plan, then?” I ask, fighting the feeling of tripping over my own tongue as I speak.
“Ah, well, it’s in two parts.”
