Fighting for Phae [1st Draft]

“Oh, for crying out loud,” she muttered to herself as she reached under the bookcase with a flyswatter to pull the pen toward her. “Of course you would make this hard on me. Just my luck. I must be jinxed today,” she continued, her voice low.

Today was just not her day. From the time she’d gotten up, small annoyances had occurred throughout the morning and into the afternoon. First, it was her keys, then she couldn’t find her purse. After that, she’d tripped and nearly knocked a shelf over, followed by spilling her coffee on her pants. Fortunately, as dark as they were, all she needed to do was absorb the liquid. Now, her best pen had managed to fall under a bookshelf, landing the furthest possible place from the side she could access. Since Phae couldn’t reach it, she’d gotten a flyswatter and was trying to use the wire end to catch the pen in just enough she could move it closer.

Phae was so wrapped up in getting her pen back, she wasn’t aware that someone else had neared her. She was also unaware of the eyes roaming over, mostly her ass, as it stuck up with her upper body on the floor. The observer leaned a shoulder against another bookcase and folded his arms to watch for a long moment.

“If I’d known I could get this kind of view here earlier, I would have started coming months ago,” a rough, deep voice commented.

Phae squeaked and jerked back, spinning around to land on her ass with her hands on the floor behind her and feet planted on the floor. She looked up at him in surprise, flushing from being the embarrassment of having been caught in such a position. Her eyes widened as she got a look at the person attached to the voice.

The man standing above her was over six feet tall, eyeing her with sharp, blue eyes that gazed at her intensely, and hair as dark as coal. Her eyes dropped to his feet, finding him dressed in what she would call ‘work boots’, jeans that clung to his muscular legs, up to his – she quickly darted her eyes from there, then a tucked in button-up shirt with long sleeves rolled up to the elbow, revealing a couple tattoos on one forearm. His skin was well-tanned, and if not for his eyes and the shape of his nose, she might have thought him Middle Eastern. And he was a stunning figure of masculinity, with eyes that spoke of a sharp, intelligent mind.

Meeting his eyes, she could see them full of mirth at her rather ungraceful situation. Phae flushed deeper in embarrassment.

“Umm… can I help you with something, Sir,” she asked after averting her eyes before scrambling to her feet. She still held the flyswatter in one hand. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear the bell ring. So, is there something you needed help finding? Or do you need a recommendation? I know…”

“What were you doing with that down there?” His gaze shifted to the flyswatter and he lifted a brow. Phae’s face warmed up and she knew she was blushing.

“I… uh…,” she began to say, nervously stuttering over her words. “My favorite pen fell and bounced off something and ended up under there. I was trying to use the flyswatter to… try to get it closer to the front,” she explained nervously, only daring to glance at him a few times, very briefly.

There was a moment of silence as he studied her before he spoke.

“Here, let me get it for you,” he said, gently taking the flyswatter from her hand. Once she moved aside, he dropped to lay flat on the floor, looking to see the runaway object. “Ah, yeah, it’s back there in the corner. Give me a second here,” he told her as he turned the flyswatter around and came at it from a different angle.

“Thank you,” she said earnestly, brushing the dust off her peasant blouse and forearms, even though she vacuumed the floor at least twice a day. “I really appreciate the help.”

It only took him a couple of swift moves before he began to pull the flyswatter back toward him, then reached underneath with the opposite hand. Soon, he was pulling back and getting back up on his knees before rising to his feet. Phae nervously glanced at his face, then at his hand, a soft smile appearing at the sight of her treasure. The man looked it over for a long moment before he extended it toward her.

The relief she felt was clearly visible when it was back into her hands. The tense, anxious air about her had gone, presenting him now with a smile and warm eyes.

“Nice pen.”

Phae nodded in response, her gaze growing distant as a fond smile tugged at her lips.

“My granddad gave it to my dad when he graduated college, and it had been given to him by his father,” she said proudly, turning her focus back on him. “My apologies, I’ll.. take that please,” she added, gesturing to the flyswatter.

The bigger man smiled in response, enjoying just how expressive her face was. Her stormy blue eyes glinted with happiness, her smile was genuine, and the wrinkles on her brow moments before were gone. Moments before, she’d looked quite upset, even if she didn’t act that way. At her question, he squinted and scratched the back of his neck.

“Well, I was looking for some books for my mother. She’s 68 this year, and she loves mysteries. Nothing with too much violence. She likes the romance ones, too. I have no clue what to get her,” he admitted. “Any suggestions?”

Phae’s eyes completely lit up and she nodded immediately. “I know exactly what you need. Please, follow me.”

“Are you a fan of them yourself,” he asked curiously.

“Oh, no,” she said, blushing slightly. “I… I do all the ordering and most of the stocking. I know everything in my store.”

“I didn’t realize you were the owner,” he commented, impressed.

The man’s eyes, like the most flawless blue topaz, took another look around. Instead of metal bookshelves that went to your chest, this store looked more old-fashioned, yet not closed in and stuffy as the old stores used to be. Tall, wooden shelves lined most of the outer wall, with a whole upper layer that held old books and book related decor, while the lower shelves that were accessible contained the books for sale. The aisles were wide, and the ceilings were tall, no less than sixteen feet above their heads.

Phae chuckled nervously. “Yes, well… that would be me.”

There was a pause as he waited for her to expand, but he noticed her creamy skin was rather flushed, and she was fidgeting with a chain on her neck as she continued to lead him through the library-like store.

“It’s really nice,” he confirmed. “I’ve never seen a bookstore set up like this. Did you design the place?”

“Yes,” she answered, looking back over with a bright smile. “I wanted it to feel traditional, but not so compact two people can’t walk down the same aisle,” she added, then motioned in front of them before she came to a stop. “Here we are – Mystery/Romance,” she announced.

The man looked down at the selection with a blank expression on his face. His gaze shifted to her as he motioned helplessly to the collection.

“Uh…”

Phae giggled softly as she tossed him a sympathetic look. “Do you need help?”

He nodded quickly. “Please?”

She pat his forearm gently and gave him a warm smile. “How many?”

“Five?”

“No problem, Sir.” Her smile reappeared, a genuine one, not just the customer service smile. “Do you know if she has any favorite themes?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know, really. I know some have cops or firemen or guys in a suit.”

“I can show you the ones I know are really well-liked,” she said excitedly. Phae turned her attention toward the shelves as she debated what someone who reads a lot of these might not have. She bent over partway to pick up a book just below waist level, then reached for one up high. When Phae bent to pluck one off a lower shelf, she thought she heard something, but when she straightened and turned around, the man still looked the same and there was no one else around.

“Huh,” she murmured quietly, shrugging it off. She turned to the customer and showed him the ten she had picked out for him to choose from. “Do any of these covers look familiar?”

He looked between each one, his eyes flickering back to her after he’d scanned each. After he’d looked at the last one, he shook his head.

“No, should they?”

“I just wanted to make sure you hadn’t seen them so she doesn’t get a duplicate. If she does, though, I have a thirty day return time where you could bring it back to return it or use that toward another purchase,” Phae explained dutifully. “So, which would you like?”

The man’s eyes returned to her and remained there. “I’ll take all of them.”

“Oh, wonderful,” Phae exclaimed, a bright smile taking residence on her face.

“Has anyone every told you that you have a beautiful voice?”

While she’d been caught off guard by the man wanting all ten books, his comment left her speechless. Her mouth opened and just remained that way before she closed it, opened it, then closed it again. She felt her face suddenly heat up, which she knew meant her cheeks would betray her.

“Were you interested in having these gift wrapped,” she stuttered, rushing toward the register. “I can put them in a box or a bag. I have some very nice birthday themes in lots of different colors. Does she have a favorite color?”

“You don’t take compliments well,” he commented, keeping up with her easily.

Phae swallowed, carefully stacking the books on the counter. “I… I-I’m sorry. That was really nice of you to say. I guess I was just caught off guard,” she answered quickly, fidgeting slightly from his attention. “Gift wrap?”

He paused a moment, seeming to access the situation before nodding. “She likes green.”

“Simple, fancy, or fully decked out?”

“What’s fully decked?”

“Let me show you the difference.” She reached under the counter and pulled out a photo album. When she opened it, each page had a single, large photo on each side, showing off previous gift wrapping. “These are some of my fully decked out gifts. You can see the other styles by flipping to one of these tabs,” she added, briefly flipping one of the others over so he could get a glimpse of how they were divided.

You couldn’t miss the sound of pride in her voice, especially as each was stunning in its own right, all completely unique, using all sorts of colors, having little touches that made them really stand out.

“These are impressive,” he said with both brows raised. “These look almost too beautiful to open,” he mused. “Mom would love this. I want the whole shebang. Would you be willing to do a watch box? There’s one she wants and this is way better than anything I could hope to do.”

“Sure, I could do that,” she responded, smiling. “It won’t be much more, since it will be a small box. I love wrapping presents.”

He looked at her and smiled. “You did all these?”

Phae nodded, getting a little excited. “Yes. It’s so fun.”

“Do you wrap other outside gifts? Like, for Christmas?”

“Sometimes. I have had a stand in the mall during the holidays, but I haven’t for the last few years. Still, I’m not adverse to requests.” She reached over the far side of the register and withdrew a card from the holder. With her special pen, she wrote something on the back. “Here, call and ask for me, then remind me when you need my help.”

He took the card, purposefully sliding his fingers over hers. “Thank you. I will certainly use it. If I bring in another gift tomorrow, could you do it while I’m here?”

“How big is it?”

He used his hands to show her the approximate size.

“Oh, I can do that easy. I’ll have everything ready and waiting so when you get here, I can get to it right away.”

“That’s perfect,” he responded, studying her closely. “Can I pay now?”

“Absolutely!”

After quickly scanning and packing the books in a paper bag, she added the wrapping fees, then her gaze turned to him. “What name do I put on this,” she asked before her gaze shifted to the bag and the black sharpie that had appeared in her hand. “I also need your phone number, please.”

“Killian Keane,” he told her in a silky baritone, flashing her a smile that could make most women swoon. Phae simply gave him the typical customer service smile, not even appearing to have noticed his subtle flirtation. He then recited his number, leaning in a bit as his eyes roamed over her. “What is your name, by the way?”

“Phae,” she answered as she wrote the name on the side of the bag, before turning her attention back to the register, typing a few places on her screen before a total popped up. “One hundred and fourteen dollars, please.”

He pulled out a card from his wallet, then handed it to her, making sure to brush his fingers over hers.

Phae paused, then sucked in her lower lip before she returned to processing his order. She swiped the card on the side of the screen, then tapped a few more buttons. Shortly, she handed him a receipt and a copy to sign, along with his card. Afterward, she stapled a third paper onto the outside of the bag, along with a store card to his copy of the receipt.

“You’re all set,” she said with a smile, looking back at him. She waited as he put his card back in his wallet, but instead of leaving, he turned to look at her. “Did you… did you need anything else,” she asked.

Killian slowly shook his head. “Just looking at something. Just so you know, I’d answer your call anytime,” he told her, his voice growing to a sexy, smooth voice. “Even when our business is done.”

Phae gave him a slightly confused smile.

“You have a nice day, Mr. Keane,” she said with a slight frown before she moved out from behind the counter with the paper bag full of his books to put them in the back where she did the wrapping.

He stood there and watched her, rather surprised at her lack of reaction to his flirting. He knew he was attractive, but she didn’t even seem to have noticed Outside of blushing, she’d kept to business. Was he wrong and she was gay? An effeminate male’s voice came from somewhere behind him, breaking him from his thoughts.

“Don’t take it personally, the woman is completely oblivious.”

Killian turned around to see a younger man who’s appearance was perfect, as if he’d been prepped for a photo shoot. His nails were short, perfectly manicured and painted, the left side of his hair was longer than the right and dyed blue. Long and lean was the first word that came to mind when it came to his size, as he was of a very thin build but was almost six foot tall. His clothes fit snugly – jeans with a blouse-like top and short-heeled women’s ankle boots. His first thought was the man was her gay best friend. It made him grin inwardly.

“Do you work here,” he asked.

“I am also one of her best friends,” the man said with a smirk, raising his hand to touch his own shoulder. “You are interested and she is single. So, what do you want to know,” he asked conspiratorially.

Killian turned his eyes to scan where she’d gone. “What’s the story on her?”

“Look, I love our Miss Phae, but she is clueless when it comes to men. Unless the dude’s straight up in her face about it, she’s got no idea. She was a bit of a mouse in school, and she works so much to use it as an excuse to not get involved with anyone. She says that it’s so she doesn’t mix business and pleasure, but that’s just nonsense.” The man assessed Killian a few moments, pursing his lips in thought. He suddenly nodded as if he’d come to a conclusion. “We’ll be at Xara tonight and tomorrow by 10 pm. She might be more receptive there,” he said with a sly smile. “It’s your best shot,” he said pausing as he gave Killian another sweeping look. “Just don’t pump and dump, or I’ll claw your eyes out,” he warned dutifully. “Best friend obligations, you know?”

Killian had to laugh, understanding the other man’s comment. “I appreciate the tip,” he responded with a smile. “I’ll be seeing you tomorrow night, then. Sadly, I have plans tonight.”

“We usually don’t leave until around 1 am Friday and 3 am on Saturday. If you happen to get done in time, you could always show up, but we almost always go out Friday and Saturday.”

A sly grin drew Killian’s lips up at the corners. “I appreciate the head’s up.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” Brian told him before watching the hunk of a man make his way to the busy street beyond the door. He fanned himself as he watched him go, definitely impressed with the physical appearance of the man interested in his best friend.

“Good job, Brian,” he said, congratulating himself in a sing-song tone, patting his own back over his shoulder, humming happily to himself.

Brian returned to dusting the shelves with his brightly colored feather duster and customers until the dusting was done. He made his way back to look for her. Brian had never fully understood Phae’s inability to catch on when people were flirting with her. Unless they came right out and said it or showed her, it seemed as though it didn’t occur to her that anyone would actually be interested in her. Brian blamed the fact she was always a bit sheltered as a kid and it hadn’t been until after college that he’d even managed to get her to start trying things. When he finally located her in the back room, as she organized the new books with an expression of extreme concentration, he almost laughed to himself at how naive but adorable she still was, even now that they were nearing thirty.

“Girl, who was Mr. Sex On Legs,” he called out, intentionally trying to see if she had any reaction to the man who’d left a few minutes before.

Phae started, looking up with surprise, then shrugged slightly. “The big guy? Mr. Killian Keane. He was looking for some books for his mother for her birthday. I get to wrap it really nice,” she added, her voice gaining some excitement. “I’ve already got several ideas!”

Brian laughed at her. She loved two things: books and wrapping presents. Brian enjoyed it, too, but not like she did. To her, gift wrapping was an art form in and of itself.

“Don’t forget it’s Friday, bitch. We’re going to Xara tonight.”

“Don’t worry,” she assured him. “I’ll do it as soon as the store closes, then get ready. I have plenty of time to do both.”

“Just making sure you weren’t going to do your best friend dirty and not get drunk with me,” he informed her buffing his nails against his shiny, silky shirt. “But, anyways, back to Mr. Sexy Keane… what did you think?”

“He’s sweet on his mom,” Phae said. “He planned on buying five, but ended up buying ten! He also said I have a nice voice,” she answered, then stopped.

Brian knew her well enough to know she wasn’t telling him everything. “And? What did you say?”

“I got all flustered,” Phae responded, embarrassed. “I swear his eyes looked right through me. His eyes are just so…. I don’t how to describe it… intense? Anyway, he’s bringing another gift for me to wrap when he gets here in the morning.”

“Oh, did my sweet, innocent Phae-ray get hot and bothered over a man,” Brian sing-songed, clasping his hands together and putting them over his heart. “You’ve got a crush!”

Phae snorted, rolling her eyes. “I do not. He was just… very… impressive.”

“The kind of impressive you might want to date,” he questioned her, snatching one of the books off the pile to look at the cover. His lips were pursed, hiding a smirk. “Or is it the I-need-to-jump-his-bones kind of attractive?”

Brian eyed her off and on as she continued to move around and sort.

“Well, you know I’d never be that forward,” she answered, pausing before she added, “but I’m curious.”

“O.M.G. Like, for real?”

“Well, he’s hot,” she excused, her cheeks on fire again. “Not that it matters. He’s a customer,” she added, reminding him of her strict ‘don’t mix business with pleasure’ policy.

“You’re being ridiculous,” Brian told her while rolling his eyes. He eyed her, noticing how intently focused on what she was doing. “This is a store. You get lots of customers you may only see once.”

“Except he’s coming tomorrow to pick up his order. He’s paying for me to wrap it, so… best to leave it alone. He might be back after that,” she said, making yet another excuse.

“Gee-zuss,” Brian said with an exaggerated roll of his eyes. “You know I’m not going to let you brush this off so easily.”

Just then, the bell rung, alerting them to the fact that someone had come through the door. Phae lifted her eyes and gave Brian a pointed look. He threw his arms up dramatically and released an exaggerated sigh before he spun about and walked back to the front of the store and the customer that awaited.