“Hey Marcia, can you please stock the bread shelves like I asked you ten minutes ago?” Brad said, crossing his arms and frowning.
“Oh, um…I’m just tagging these brownies, I’ll put the bread out in a sec.” She smiled, looking up at him sideways. He didn’t look happy. She looked back at the line of stickers she had arranged on the counter. She would be done in a couple of minutes.
“Yeah, well hurry it up, we got nothing out there hardly at all.”
“Okay, sure.”
Brad turned away from her abruptly, and walked into the back room. He came out, arms loaded with boxes. He was carrying too many, and Marcia could see the strain in his face.
“Do you need some help?” She asked.
“Just do finish what you’re doing.” He was bringing the bread out and stacking the recently delivered boxes directly beside where she was working. As he went to the back again, she discreetly took half a step closer to the boxes. When Brad came back she leaned her body toward him. His arm accidentally brushed hers. She shivered.
Marcia continued working, slowing her stickering down a notch. Brad was working right beside her now. His body was close to hers. She breathed deeply, in and out. Brad smelled like sweat and kitchen. She turned her body toward him in a flirtatious pose, sticking her chest out, as he pried open the cardboard box of bread. He used the date-gun to stick best-before-dates on the loaves, so they would be ready for her to put them out immediately
She was watching the concentration on his face. He had such strong features. He must have sensed her staring at him, because he turned toward her, leaning one hand on the counter.
“Hey, Marcia?”
“Yes, Brad?” Her voice had become tremulous and an octave higher. She was blushing. She cleared her throat and tried again. “Yes?”
He looked her in the eyes. Marcia held her breath.
“Go help that customer.”
novasawatzky 