He chuckled. “Somehow, you don’t look like a senile woman who’s wandered away from home.”
“Pretty weak compliment,” she parried, returning his big smile.
“Just making conversation with a gorgeous lady. There’s got to be a story here, and I can probably guess part of it.
Once more, she related the tale of the book club and the little cards, the guy nodding as she spoke.
“No idea about the other five,” he said when she finished, “but I’m blessed that you are the one that came here.” His eyes were obviously swallowing every bit of her.
“There’s something else, too.”
“Okay.”
“I have to stay here thirty minutes and help you with whatever before I can go back to retrieve my clothes.”
“No shit?”
Lis shook her head. “You know, checking people out, stocking shelves, whatever.”
He thought for a moment, each of them studying the other, then laughed.
“Checking out is no good since it would take more than thirty minutes to teach you how to do it. I think I can find a couple of things for you to do unless you just want to hide in the back room until it’s time for you to leave.”
“Nope, I have to do what I’m supposed to do. I’m pretty sure the others will be faithful with their’s too.”
“Okay then. Here’s what I’m thinking. If young girls or guys come in, they’ll enjoy seeing you, and that’s an understatement for the guys. But if some older people come in, particularly a wife with her husband, they might not be happy and could complain to my boss… or worse.”
“I don’t want that,” Lis said.
“So, you can work around back here, behind the counter, refilling the cigarette pack racks and stuff like that… and just talking to me,” he added, chuckling. “In fact,” he said as he unlatched the gate, “come on back here now, so we’re ready.”
“Ready?” she questioned as she stepped through the gate.
“In case some of those people show up. See here.” He gestured to a niche under the counter. “Used to be a trash can here, but I kept kicking it, so I moved it over to the corner. If I yell ‘down,’ just jump under there. We’ll get your thirty minutes in.” He extended his hand. “I’m Mark, by the way.”
She shook his hand. “Lis,”
“I’m happy to meet you.”
Lis was surprised. There was no doubt that Mark had checked out her very bare body, but mostly he looked her in the eye, which she was enjoying since his pale blue eyes were very entrancing. Plus, he was very well-spoken and clearly kind and considerate. Not that most convenience store clerks weren’t that way; he just seemed above and beyond, and she was curious.
“You worked here long?” she asked as she began filling the rack with packages of cigarettes.
“A few months. Just kind of filling in.”
“Filling in?”
Yeah. I’ll have my masters in a couple of months, and I just needed a few extra bucks, you know, so I wouldn’t starve.”
They both laughed at that.
She continued with the racks until she heard the signal announcing that someone was coming through the door.
“Down, Lis, quick.”
She dropped to the floor, tossed the cigarettes aside, and grabbed her cell phone. As she slithered into the niche, she thought a picture from here might insert a touch of humor when she shared with the club.
Mark had stepped to the counter, his legs now just inches from her. She hadn’t noticed his legs before, but in the shorts he was wearing, the part showing looked firm and muscular. She took a photo, trying not to chuckle too loudly.
“Hey, Sarge. How’s it going? Arrested anyone today?”
“Naw, it’s been a quiet day, Mark. How about you?”
“Couldn’t be better, Sarge. Couldn’t be better.” As Mark said that, his knee came toward her, and she acknowledged it with a gentle fist bump. He was telling her a policeman was there–not the best time to be standing behind the counter… naked. There was a second message as well.
“Here ya go, buddy. I’ll get a coffee on that way out. Gotta try to say awake, yanno.”
She heard the cash drawer open with a small dinging sound.
“Me too, Sarge. Me too.”
Lis heard the door signal again, then again. In a few seconds, two more. People were coming in even though it was getting late. Or maybe that was why they were coming in. Two more of the bell-like signals. Mark would be busy.
“Hey, I’ll get out of your way, Mark.”
“Take care, Sarge.”
Lis was wondering how long she’d be under the counter as she heard the customers calling questions to Mark, one coming to the counter to check out. Mark answered the questions, and she could hear the beep sound as he scanned barcodes.
“Yeah, put the card in the slot. No, no, the little chip goes in first, and you might want to turn it over too. See the amount on the screen. Ten dollars and thirty-seven cents. Touch the ‘you agree’ button. Good, that’s it. Thanks for coming in, and have a good one.”
She was beginning to enjoy hearing his voice, very gentle, patient, and understanding. And even more, she was enjoying looking at his legs.
The imp of mischief, which often caused her to get into trouble, was perched on her shoulder, whispering in her ear. Its whispers involved those legs. She took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and decided, wondering what his response would be.
Lis’s right hand went to the inside of Mark’s leg just above the knee. She waited, but there was no reaction as he talked with one of the customers. She laid her left hand against the outside of the leg, opposite the other. Still no reaction. A few beeps as he scanned.
She slid her right hand up his leg until it was inside the leg of the shorts. She was waiting for his hand to push her away, but he didn’t. Lis was beginning to breathe a little harder, and she wondered how Mark was doing up there where she couldn’t see his face. She knew what her reaction would be if it were happening to her. She couldn’t keep the grin off her face as this was turning out better than she had hoped.