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“She’s Vanessa Grayson's daughter, Lexi Grayson.” She rolls her hand in front of her like I should be aware of who that is. She continues when my bottom lip pushes out, and I shake my head. “Vanessa Grayson, dark skin, belligerent, usually seen with an equally foul mouth white guy? You’ve probably arrested her once or twice in this store out in the parking lot five, six years ago.”
“How could I forget? I was a newbie, first time I had someone curse me to hell and back between propositioning me.” My eyes close tight, lips pressed together. Damn. I look over my shoulder at the cute girl and shake my head. That’s probably not a good idea.
“Don’t worry, she’s nothing like her mother. She seems to take after her grandfather, Theo.”
Him I do remember. “Older well dressed gentleman.” He had kind eyes. Made me wonder what the hell happened to his daughter, he looked tired. I felt bad for him for having to deal with her. “He made it absolutely clear he only came to bail her out, not give me more trouble.”
“She’s helping him take care of her younger siblings. I haven’t seen a hint of her mother in her. You know me: if I did, she’d be out on her ass.” My aunt’s nice but she’s not a total pushover. She only gives you enough chances to hang yourself before she gives it to you. “She gets along great with the other employees in the short time she’s been here.”
I blow out a breath and say, “Okay. Thanks for the info, Aunt Rach.”
“No problem.” She winks at me and leaves.
I walk back to the cashier lines in front. I see Miranda waiting for me by the door, looking at something on her phone with her bag in hand. Five aisles, all with lines except for the first one. Common sense would tell me with what I’ve found out about the cute cashier at checkout counter three, I should steer clear of her and walk straight through fifteen items or less and be on my way.
My brain and eyes follow in that direction but my feet bring me behind three customers in line three. So much for common sense. While I stand there waiting patiently in line when there is an empty one I could be in and out of already watching her genuinely talk to the customers and offer advice on things on sale and sign one up for a discount card and make a suggestion on a better brand of cleaning product. I patiently wait until they leave the line to get the cheaper, better product then come back to ring it up with a bright smile from her, and a “have a nice day.”
When it’s my turn I take my things out of the basket, two packs of socks, shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste. I tip my head to her and smile. “Ma’am.”
She looks at me and frowns. “You only have five items. Didn’t you notice the fifteen items or less aisle is empty? It’s been empty since you joined my line.”
“You noticed me. Good to know.” I give her a bigger smile, and reach over next to me and pick up a handful of gum and candy bars and place them beside the other items. “I like the candy in this line specifically. I didn’t mind the wait to get toyou.”
The corner of her lips turns up as she rings up my items in an even nicer smile than I’ve seen her give her other customers. I swipe my card and tap my pin in.
She gives me my receipt and holds up my bag to me and says, “Here you go, Officer…” She looks at my chest, then into my eyes. “James. Like Holden James?”
I nod taking my bag, my fingers lightly brush over hers, lingering for a small pause. “Thank you, Lexi.” My voice drops lower holding her gaze.
She says, “How did you know my name?”
“Name tag.” I lie easily.
“Is there anything else I can do for you? You’re holding up my line, and my boss is watching.”
“Don’t worry about her. I don’t think you’ll get in trouble for making me smile.”
“Really? How do you know I won’t get in trouble?”
“She’s my aunt. See you around, Lexi.” Her mouth drops open, and I happily walk over to Miranda. “Let’s head out.”
“Did you get a number?”
“No,” I say, walking out into the parking lot. “I got candy.” I see some kids walking by and say, “Here you go. I bought too much.” And hand them the candy, keeping back a gum for myself. They thank me and keep on walking.
“You fumbled the play like I said and got nothing.” She shakes her head. “Should have let me close for you.” She opens the car door.
I open mine and pop a stick of gum in my mouth. “I got something.”
“What?”
“The best and brightest smile out of her. And an admission she was watching me as much as I was watching her. That’s as good as a guarantee I’ll get her number and a date.” I slam my door and start the engine.
Three
LEXI
Another day done. I wish I was going home, getting dressed, calling up my friends, and we are going to go out and hit the clubs and find some cute guys to buy us drinks. Can’t wait for that day to happen. Unfortunately for me, that’s not my life. I get my bag out of my locker, sling it over my head, and strap it across my chest.
