Checking You Out

Jake brought his invoice up to the counter. He knew he was spending a lot of money, but quality lighting was not cheap and he really needed some lighting updates in his bungalow. Fortunately his new job came with a nice raise in pay. He still had his nose in the invoice when a bright, cheery voice spoke to him. “I can check you out over here!”

Jake looked up to see a pair of sparkling, wide-set blue eyes. The slim cashier had light red hair cascading in waves and it was pulled back into a messy ponytail. She had a dazzling smile and a small splash of tiny freckles across her nose.

I haven’t seen her here before. What a pixie! I’m not sure she’s even wearing any makeup.

In the past Jake habitually avoided women with hair edging into red territory. Too often that color was paired with a hefty dose of crazy in his experience.

He recalled an incident from his last day at his previous job. A flaming redhead with a killer body came up to him and wanted to know why he had never asked her out. “I always thought we would have been great together.”

Jake stared at her and told her the truth. “I was put off by the perpetual bitch face you gave me every single time I came near you.”

“Asshole!” The redhead stomped off, her heels clicking.

Ted, Jake’s friend and coworker, overheard their exchange and observed, “I guess the truth hurts. She should have patented bitch face.”

“Yeah, once I asked her if I could help her un-jam the copier. I thought she was going to hand me my balls on the spot. I don’t know why some women think they’re so dateable if they can’t even manage to smile at a guy, much less have a friendly interaction. I’m fresh out of fucks to give about that one. She’s about as approachable as an oncoming freight train.” Jake shrugged as Ted laughed.

Jake had no complaints about the approachability vibe from this lighting cashier. Her constant smile and pleasant manner were worlds apart from that wacko who wondered why he didn’t date her. The cashier was just naturally cute, with little or no makeup.

“Aren’t these the Tiffany shade lamps?” she asked, peering at the invoice.

“I bought a Tiffany floor lamp and matching table lamp. The new entryway lamp is an open bronze fixture with Edison type LED bulbs.”

“Those are some nice choices! I guess you have a vintage house.”

“Yes, it’s a 1920s bungalow with Arts and Crafts decor.”

“Cool! That’s one of my absolute favorite periods. You can insert your card now, or try tapping it.”

Jake tapped his credit card on the reader and it beeped in response.

Hannah smiled. “Tapping only seems to work about half of the time. I guess you got lucky today.” Her eyebrows were arched and she giggled a bit. Hannah glanced down and saw the guy had no ring. She felt a little tingle as she looked up again into his hazel eyes.

Jake had at first worried that this cutie wasn’t yet legal. Now it was clear she was older than he first thought, though her fresh-faced appearance had thrown him off. She was definitely acting a bit flirty toward him. By some small miracle no other customers were in her line. He leaned over the counter and she met his eyes again. “So I’m curious - how did you get so interested in Arts and Crafts period homes?”

She smiled at him, flashing her white teeth. “I’m an Architecture major at UIC. I’ve studied a lot about Chicago area architectural styles.”

Jake smiled. “That’s awesome. I’d really like to hear about some of your other favorite things, starting with your favorite coffee shop.”

She blushed bright pink but held his gaze. “Are you asking me out?”

Jake chuckled. “I guess I can’t really ask you out if I don’t even know your name. I’m Jake.”

She extended her hand. “Hi Jake, I’m Hannah.” She indicated her name tag. “So, now that you know my name are you asking me out?” Her blue eyes bored into his. “In case you’re wondering, the correct answer is ‘yes.’”

Jake had to laugh. This woman had some spirit and sass, for sure. “Hannah, would you like to have coffee with me?”

Hannah beamed. “Absolutely I would. But first I need to call the dock to bring out your order. Do you know where to pick it up?”

Her cute dimples held him spellbound. “Yes, around the store and through the alley at the warehouse door. I’ve done that before.”

“Great! I’ll call the dock. In the meantime, you could give me your number?” Hannah unlocked her phone and slid it over to Jake. Then she picked up a handheld radio and called in the order to the dock.

Jake typed in his contact information. He handed the phone back to Hannah. She sent him a quick text: ‘Hi Jake it’s Hannah 😉’

Jake saved her as a contact. “What’s your last name, Hannah?”

“It’s Monroe, like the president. What’s yours?"

“It’s right there on the invoice.”

Hannah face palmed. “It sure is! It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Jake Moran.”

“Likewise. I’m kind of bad with remembering names, but I’ll work on remembering yours.”

“I’m flattered. Maybe I’ll hide my name badge and test your memory.” She giggled.

Jake shook his head, smiling. “Testing me already, and we haven’t even gone out yet.”

Hannah laughed again, her eyes crinkling. “You’re a witty guy. I think we’re going to get along.”

“So when do you think we can go for coffee?”

“Probably not on any day I’m working here, I get off too late. I think this Friday afternoon will be good though, my last class should be done by 3:00. Let me double check that I’m free and I’ll call you later, okay?”

“That sounds good. Thanks again for your help.”

She smiled that dazzling smile again. “My pleasure. I’ll talk to you tonight, okay?”

Jake nodded with a grin and headed out the door to take his car around back. Maureen leaned over from her cashier station next to Hannah. “That dude has a pretty nice butt. Did you just give him your number?”

“So what if I did? He seems like a really cool guy, funny, smart, and he is plenty hot.”

“Girl, you were totally checking him out the whole time he was at your register.”

“Well,” said Hannah, “that’s my job, isn’t it? Checking the customers out.” She grinned at Maureen and giggled.

Jake waited as the warehouse attendant loaded the boxes of lights into the back of his RAV4. Jake said, “Thanks, man,” and handed him a five dollar bill. The attendant said, “No problem, thank you.” He grinned at the tip.

Jake lowered the tailgate and headed for home. Hannah’s dancing eyes and warm smile kept sneaking into his consciousness. She didn’t fumble around, she was totally competent, and she interacted with just the right dash of flirtatious spice. He couldn’t wait to talk to her again. I’m only 28 and she seems really mature. It shouldn’t matter that she’s still in school. She may even be a grad student.

Jake pulled into his driveway and unloaded the new lights. His phone buzzed. He looked at it and saw that it was Ted calling.

“Hey Teddy! What’s up?”

“Hey, Jake. I’m just checking in to see how the new job is going.”

“It’s gone really well so far. People in the office have been great, and I’m working from home two days a week. I’m also getting some work done on the house. You should come over some weekend for backyard burgers and beer. I have a great patio under a big oak tree.”

Ted laughed. “You’re such a suburbanite now. I’m totally up for that, if you haven’t filled your social calendar with new babes yet.”

Jake was silent for a moment.

“Jake? I was joking, dude.”

“I know, Ted. I’ve been working on meeting some new women. I just asked a cute redhead out today.”

“What? Like hell you did, you’ve always said that redheads were ‘fifty shades of crazy.’”

“Yeah, I think I said that once, Ted. This one seems different. I didn’t get any crazy vibe from her at all. She’s an architecture student. She has an incredible smile.”

“I’m guessing she has some other attributes too, if I know you. Good luck with her, buddy. Well, I’ll let you go Jake. It was good talking to you. I’ll clear a weekend for some burgers and beer and give you a call. Hell, I’ll even bring the beer.”

“That sounds like a plan. Later, Ted.”