“I came here because I needed to talk to a pharmacist about some medicine.” He holds out a random box of ibuprofen, giving it a good shake. “And I remembered that there was a good one who happens to work in this area.”
I puff up my cheeks, trying not to laugh. “I know I’m a capable pharmacist, but I don’t think that’s why you came here.”
“You sure about that? Because the writing on these boxes goes over my head.” I cover my mouth to stifle my giggling. Thank goodness Vera is downstairs. She’d never let me hear the end of it. “The words are very big and my brain is very small.”
Is that why some folks call you a “himbo”? I don’t have the courage to say it out loud. “You know, if you want to get a hold of me, you didn’t have to come all the way over to my job. I gave you my email address.”
“I know.” I throw him a look of disbelief. “I do! And believe me, I’ve been trying to write a good email that won’t make me sound like a bonehead. But I was never good at writing. Just ask my coworkers. I didn’t want to screw this up, so I thought it’d be better if I come by and ask you in person.”
“You realize today could have been my day off, right?” I point out.
“True, but it’s not. Lady Luck is on my side.”
“Lady Luck, huh?” I clamp my mouth shut. A few giggles still manage to quiver at the sides of my mouth. “All right, I’ll humor you. What are you asking?”
“If you’d like to have dinner together after work. My treat.”
“Are you asking me out on a date?” I blurt out the words loud enough that a few customers turn around. I clench my teeth, chiding myself for being so loud.
“A date? No. Just two friends hanging out and catching up after ten years. Since they didn’t nearly have enough time to do it at their high school reunion.”
He’s making sense but I’m not sure that I’m completely convinced. “I guess you didn’t have a moment to yourself after we finished talking.”
“I was dragged to another bar and then a club after the reunion ended. Didn’t get home until four in the morning.”
“Yikes.” Way to make me feel like a loser, pal. I was home by a respectable hour that night. Midnight, to be precise. That includes a visit to a bar down the street from the hotel. “Sucks be to you.”
“Anyway, I feel bad about getting dragged off in the middle of our conversation, so I wanted to make it up to you. Please, let me treat you to a meal later. Anywhere you want. Even if it’s super expensive.”
“That’s very kind of you, but you don’t have to do that.” I think it’s sweet that he’s trying to do this for me. Still, I feel a little uncomfortable.
“I know I don’t. But I want to.” Poor man, turning up the charm with a girl who isn’t quick to respond to it. I think he’s fine just the way he is. “Let me.”
I shake my head, defeated. I didn’t have dinner plans anyway. “Guess I can’t say ‘no’, can I?”
“Well, you could, but that would make me cry, and trust me, you don’t want to see me cry. It’s pretty pathetic.”
“You’re supposed to get rid of my curiosity, not pique it.” I catch another tech at the counter glancing at me, a sly smile on her face. Damn it. Time to wrap it up. “I’m not off until seven, though. Is that a problem?”
“Not at all.” He looks so incredibly happy. And for a brief moment, I’m happy, too. But then I remember that he never got around to telling me about his ‘date.’ I steel myself for the worst. My ego isn’t safe after all. “I’ll see you then. But first, I need to buy these.”
He shakes the box of ibuprofen one last time before heading off to the cashier. I tell myself that I’m late from my break and that I need to return to my post and get my work done or else I’ll end up having to do overtime. But I can’t bring myself to move. The world resets to normal speed, but I’m on pause. As futile as it is, I wish I could stop time. That way I don’t have to listen to Adrian tell me that the pact is null and void, and that he’s happily married to a gorgeous supermodel-slash-baking enthusiast.
But I knew I wouldn’t be so lucky.
Chapter Four
The good thing about working as a pharmacist is that your outfits can easily go from day to evening. Thank goodness I went with a black round-collar dress blouse with cap sleeves and black, tailored, flared trousers for work today. It’s always a stylish choice whether I’m consulting with patients or enjoying a meal with George. It’s too hot for a cardigan but I wish I had one. My arms feel naked but I’m not about to wear my lab jacket to a restaurant and get stains all over it. First of all, that would be weird and second, dry cleaning ain’t cheap.
Unfortunately, working a ten-hour shift doesn’t give me time to style my hair. I use the precious moments I have to put it up in a bun, smoothing out as many errant hairs as I can. The result is neater than my go-to messy buns but not so neat that a ballerina would be envious of my work.
Adrian is already waiting outside. Of course, he looks put together. Duh. Throw all the adjectives you’d associate with a handsome man, they all fit. He sports a simple white dress shirt and black dress slacks that complements my outfit. If people see us together, they’ll think we’re on a date. Thank goodness I know better.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” His eyes dart up and he looks at me—really looks at me. I fidget, the nervousness hitting me hard.
“That’s okay. Good things come to those who wait, after all. Good-looking women, too.”
“Oof, still a smooth-talker.” Unfortunately for him, I’m quite good at sidestepping compliments. “Sorry to disappoint you, but it’s a well-known fact that you can’t be a pharmacist if you don’t look spiffy.”
“I’ve seen my fair share of pharmacists but you’re the only one I’d consider good-looking.” The words roll off his tongue easily. I laugh, shaking my head. Does he ever turn that charm off? “Now, where did you want to go?”
“Hmm. I hadn’t actually thought of that.” That’s what happens when you’re busy filling prescriptions, calling doctors about refills, and fighting to keep what’s left of your sanity. “There’s this new restaurant that just opened up, the Tasty Noodle House I think it’s called. I’ve been wanting to go but I’m usually too busy to get there for lunch and too tired after work.”
“A noodle house, huh? Sounds good to me.” He looks excited. Thank goodness. I’m too tired and too hungry to think of other possibilities. “Where is it?”
“About two blocks away, on King Street. We could walk.”
“Or I could drive you there and drive you home afterward.” I know he’s being a gentleman. Driving me home after dinner is the noble thing to do. But this meetup is already veering into ‘date’ territory. “Let a man impress you with his car!”
“Impress?” I snicker as we begin to walk down the block. “Why? Is it a luxury car?”
“For what I paid for it, it’s a luxury to me.”