"Sorry. You okay?"
I pressed my other hand against where the needle pricked me, and the skin began to itch. "Yeah. I'll be fine."
We stared at each other, and I took in his fluttering eyes, dark hair, and imagined his scruff scratching me as he kissed me. When we first met, I didn't realize how cute he was. Of course, when I first met him outside, he was anything short of annoying.
"Can I help you find anything?"
"What?" I shook my head. Find anything? Did I come for something? "Oh!" Is this what people meant when they referred to being love struck? I mean, I wasn't in love, obviously, but my heart sure sped up. "Sorry. No."
"Back so soon, then? Did you forget something?"
Shoot. What the hell was I supposed to say? "Um ...." Right now I wanted to take every pine in that tree and stick myself with it. At least that would be less painful than this.
"Tell you what, Francie, when you think of what it is, come find me. I'll be over in toys."
He started to walk away, but I found myself calling out his name. "Shane!"
Think. Think. Think. He turned around and I blurted, "Got a second to chat?"
"Sure." He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and checked the time. "I'm about due for a break. I really don't want to hang out in the store. I know it's cold, but do you want to head outside?"
I was so nervous I doubted the cold would even bother me. I followed him through the "restricted" double doors, a spark of danger igniting me as we entered the the territory. He led me through a small stocking area to a steel door leading outside. He snatched his jacket from a hook and tossed it on before we went out.
The air wasn't as bitter in the back of the building. The wind moved past us instead of against us, my hair only lightly grazing my face. The building overlooked more buildings, not providing much in the way of scenery. Shane would have to do. I was okay with that.
A bench sat against the the wall, and Shane motioned for me to take a seat. Even through my jeans the bench was freezing. I shoved my hands underneath my butt. "It's sure cold out." I stumbled over the words to begin a conversation, but at least it was a start.
Shane took a seat next to me, so close his knees almost touched mine. "It's only November. If you think this is cold, just wait."
The winter months weren't my favorite. The cold weather wasn't even the culprit. Okay, I wasn't a fan, but the winter months my business slowed down as well. Occasionally someone hired me for a holiday party, but my business boomed in the summer months. Weddings, graduations, people hired me for all their gatherings. My income decreased significantly between October and April. "I hate the winter."
"Really? I love it. I especially enjoy this time of year."
"You like you're working today? I can't believe stores are now opening on Thanksgiving."
He crossed his legs. "I don't mind. I don't have anything else going on."
"You don't?" My family and I may spend Thanksgiving (and the day after Thanksgiving) hitting up deals around town, but we still sat down for a meal together at some point in the day. How could he not have any plans?
Shane touched his finger to his chin. "I get that reaction a lot. Actually, we celebrate whenever we can. My mom is a nurse and often works the holidays. My dad is a cop, so, same deal. And I'm an only child."
My chance presented itself. "My brother Teddy and me always spend Thanksgiving with my parents. No girlfriend to spend the holiday with?" My throat closed up. Soon, I would probably pass out. Of course then maybe he'd give me mouth to mouth.
Shane rubbed his hands up and down his work pants and let out a small chuckle. "No. No girlfriend." This time he rubbed the scruff on his face. "What about you, Francie? Is there a special man in your life?"
Thank God the frigid air made my cheeks red already because my face flushed at the question. "Too busy. I'm a party planner. Busy, busy, busy."
"Francie, I need to ask. Is that a nickname for Francine or Francesca or something?"
Here we go. People always commented on my name. Over the years, it grew on me, and, in fact, I kind of love it now. But, my parents were crazy. "It's a tad embarrassing."
"I'm fine with you humiliating yourself." He laughed and I couldn't help but smile.
"Okay," I let out a breath. "Here goes. Are you familiar with the Cabbage Patch Kids?"
"Um, yeah."
His scrunched face told me all I needed to know. He had no idea where I was going with this. "Well, my parents always made sure to be in the front of the line on Black Friday. They named me after a 1983 Cabbage Patch Kid doll, Francie Anabel."
The clap of his hands echoed in the air. "The middle name, too?"
I nodded.
"I honestly love it, Francie. That's awesome."
"My brother Teddy is name after Teddy Ruxpin."
He covered his mouth and stomped his foot on the ground. "I'm sorry. I know it's embarrassing for you."
I broke into laughter. All these years the name made me self-conscious, but when I heard Shane's sincere laugh, I realized how funny the meaning behind it actually was. "I promise not to name any future children Strawberry Shortcake or Jem."
Shane checked his phone and I realized he should head back to work in a few minutes. If I didn't ask him now, I never would get the courage to do so. Tomorrow would come and I'd go on about my life and probably never run into Shane again, at which point he wouldn't even remember me. Now or never.
"Shane, the reason I wanted to talk to you."
"Oh, yeah! It's so much fun making fun of your name I completely forgot."
"Okay, this may come off as too straight forward, and forgive me if it is, but .... "
"But what?"
He cocked his head as he asked, his full attention directed at me. His hazel eyes stared into mine, and if a car crashed into the building, I thought he might not even notice. I needed to just blurt it out. Say the words. Not even think about it. "Did you want to go out sometime?"
As his eyes widened, my heart dropped to my feet. If I thought telling him my name was embarrassing, this topped the cake. This was why I never had a boyfriend or a date. Even if a guy asked me, I fumbled my words somehow and used work as an excuse. I hated the rejection, so tried everything to avoid it. I got up, reached into my purse and started searching for my keys. "Sorry. I'll go."
Shane jumped up. "Wait? Why? Francie, I'd love to go out with you sometime."
I clenched my purse against my chest and smiled, and he returned the grin. I had no idea if this would go anywhere, if even beyond a first date, but I took the initiative and asked. Finally, I did something for me, put myself first, and it paid off. I, Francie A. Spiller, had a date.
THANK YOU!
Thank you so much for reading EARLY BIRD SPECIAL, and I hope you enjoyed every minute of this short story. I had a great time creating Francie, and I hope to continue her story one day in a full-length novel. This story wouldn't have happened without the help from Karan, who pushed the idea into my brain. She's been a burst of energy and motivation, and I am forever grateful to her.
If you liked this short story, you may enjoy my full length novel, PIECES OF IT ALL, now available on Amazon. http://www.tracykrimmer.com/PiecesAmazon
My first Chick Lit / Contemporary Romance, CACHING IN, is releasing December 11, 2014 and can be preordered here: http://www.tracykrimmer.com/CachingInAmazon
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Early Bird Special Page 3
