Chapter 1
Ugh. I hate first day butterflies. Meeting new people. Trying to understand new equipment and policies. Learning how to kiss ass to the new boss. And then there is the customer aspect of things. Being in the customer service industry requires you to have a certain level of thick skin and a huge bullshit tolerance. Which I don’t have a lot of either. Of course, being a grocery store clerk is probably not the best choice for me then. I can do this though. I got this! Hopefully. Ugh.
My name is Emma Ruby. Today is my first day at a new job in a new city. Again. I hate starting over, but when you get fired for another employee’s incompetence and lack of common sense what can you do. Can’t really fight it since the employee is also dating the main boss of the company. Screwed is an understatement. So, time to move on and start over.
Here we go. Clock in. Listen absently to the same old safety shit I’ve heard before. Have the bosses pet try to train me like the boss likes, knowing damn well Ill end up tweaking it and finding my own way to run this shit. Deal with customers already. Clock out. Go home and scream in my pillow.
Repeat, repeat, repeat. Weeks have gone by and now I’m numb to a lot of dumb shit. One customer did not like the brand of canned beans we carry. Threw a damned hissy fit like a child. Another customer was pissed her bundle of bananas only had 5 and not 6. A parent allowed her child to piss her pants all through the store and didn’t tell anyone about it. Wanna take a guess at how we did find out about it?? Another customer almost slipped and fell in it. Fucking disgusting.
I thought things were on a boredom streak. Until he walked in. He wasn’t handsome per say. He looked tired. Like life has rung him thru a few times. I haven’t seen him before. Other coworkers said he only works the nights stocking. That would make since for why I haven’t seen him. I don’t work nights and am hardly here after 6pm. Lucky for me that I agreed to cover this shift. I hate the evening shifts. But now, yup. Happy.
His name was Albert. He was in his early 40s. Dark hair, strong jaw, bold shoulders yet not very muscly. He had some dark rings under his eyes. His brown eyes. Darker than dark chocolate, yet there was a small glint of light in there. Wonder what had happened in his life to make his eyes not sparkle or have any signs of happiness.
Apparently, he has been there awhile and is very good at his job. I mean he must be if the store is perfectly stocked and organized. Of course, he does have a team with him to help. Things run smooth as a baby’s ass around here. BORING.
Damn, I have to leave now right as he’s coming in. He’s got a nice ass too. Smells good too. Got a nice whiff as he walked by. Smiled at me and said hello. Nice deep voice. Sent chills down my spine.
Fuck. I need to stay away. My body wants him to touch me, and I just met the dude. Like seriously, what the hell? This is new to me. At least I’m single. But do I want to risk it being a newbie here?? Hmmm…no. Not right now. I need my job. I need my job. I need my job. Think if I keep repeating it enough, my body will stop wanting to touch and lick him? Ugh.
A month has gone by. I’ve seen him very rarely. He’s only said hello in passing. My body screams every time he walks by. Haven’t done anything about it. At least not outside of my bedroom and my…well…. anyways. Just got to keep pushing forward and keep my hands to myself.
Shit finally happened. But not with Albert. I’ve kept my distance. Not that he even noticed me. Two different shifts, two different everything. This shit was with me and the manager. I asked for some time off for personal reasons, and she denied me. I needed the days, so I called off. She didn’t appreciate that. Got written up. I didn’t agree with her and made my point loud and clear. And of course, now I have no damned job. Me and my big mouth. Ugh.
As I am walking out of the store though, who is walking in? Albert. Yummm. I didn’t want to push things with him because of my job, buuuutttt, I’m not working here anymore. Do I dare say something? HELL YES!
“Hey sexy. What are you doing here? It isn’t the night shift?”
“Sexy huh? That’s new. Didn’t think you noticed me.”
“I noticed you the first day I worked an evening shift. You and your fine ass.”
“Interesting. Shouldn’t you be working?”
“I just quit slash got fired. Management issue. Oh well. And why are you here?”
“I have to see the boss lady about somethings. Nothing crazy.”
“Well have fun with her. She’s on a real bender today. So, here’s my number. Text me some time and we’ll go out and have some fun.”
“Hmm. Ok thanks. I could use some fun in my life.”
He walked away then. Making sure I see his ass. Damn that ass. The things I want to do to him….
