“Oh. Well, in that case, come with everyone else.”
Angel turned toward Ashton, and the two commenced whispering, their heads close together.
“Who thinks they’re talking about us?” Gabe asked in a low voice.
“Most likely me,” Starr replied.
“Nah.” Waylon shook his head. “Definitely me, since I stole you away from their clutches.”
Starr chuckled, schooling her face into an expression of perfect calm as Angel whipped her head in Starr’s direction.
“See?” she mumbled.
“I think you’re right. Guess now you’ll really have to help me out Wednesday.” Waylon took another sip of his drink.
“I can come in Monday too.” She turned to look at him. “I’d like to shadow you Monday and possibly Tuesday. Then Wednesday we can sit down and talk about what I noticed and what your vision is.”
“I’d really appreciate that.” He didn’t want to fail the store or his mom’s trust in him.
“Think of it as payback for teaching me how to ride a bike.”
Wow. “How do you even remember that? I’d totally forgotten.” He grinned at the memory, picturing Starr with two pigtails and a death grip on her bike.
Starr had come into Noel’s room in tears because no one would teach her how to ride her bike, and she didn’t want to enter the fourth grade riding a bike with training wheels. Noel had immediately taken her out to their driveway to teach her, but he’d barked out orders like a drill sergeant, adding to her misery. Waylon had taken him aside and offered to teach her, same as he’d taught his own sister. After a half hour, Starr had been riding with ease.
“I haven’t. You’ve always had a kindness about you.” She nudged him with her elbow. “Do you still have those chivalry skills?”
“For you, I’ll dust them off and put them to use.” Was that too cheesy?
Her cheeks darkened, and her lashes fluttered as if trying to hide the expression behind them.
Maybe not. He lowered his voice. “Did I embarrass you or just myself?”
Starr shook her head. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about.” She straightened in her seat and turned to Gabe.
Had he just been dismissed? Dismay speared him. Why had he flirted with her? Hadn’t Noel warned him that she needed a friend? Waylon could kick himself for adding to Starr’s awkwardness of sitting across from her ex-boyfriend by having her brother’s best friend flirting with her when she had no interest in him.
Though the thought hurt more than he wanted to admit, he felt more shame at ruining the lighthearted mood she’d managed to have despite the knuckleheads sitting across from them. Waylon tried not to let the thoughts weigh him down, but he couldn’t stop his mind from thinking and asking question after question.
Lord, please guide me and grant me wisdom. I want to know Starr better. And I want her to want the same thing as well.
Because claiming he was trying to only be a friend would be a lie. But if that’s what she needed, he would swallow his pride and set the flirting to zero.
five
Starr flipped down the visor and gave one last glance to her hair and makeup. She repositioned some of her curls in the front and touched up her lip gloss.
Why are you primping?
This was Waylon—her brother’s best friend and the guy who taught her to ride a bike. Just thinking it was enough to make her face scrunch up. Why did she have to remind Waylon of her as a crying child? When he’d flirted with her—Lord, please let that be his intentions—she’d panicked. She didn’t have it all together like Eve, and she certainly wasn’t polished like Angel. Feelings of inadequacy had coursed through her, and embarrassment had her distancing herself.
Only, Starr couldn’t help but want to hang around Waylon. He made her laugh and feel calmer around her chaotic family. Not to mention the sparks that appeared when he turned that charming grin her way. Could he actually see her as more than Noel’s baby sister?
Only one way to find out.
She stared at the sidewalk leading to his shop. “You can do this, Starr. Treat this visit like the business it is, and if anything else happens . . .” Then she’d go from there.
Exiting her car, she joined the other shoppers heading down the sidewalk in the streets of Alexandria, Virginia. A walk down the block landed her in front of Forever Christmas. She took in the redbrick storefront that sat on the corner of Main Avenue. The sign was a little outdated above the black door, and the window display somewhat lackluster. Nothing about the view made her want to come inside and look around.
Starr took out her cell and quickly jotted the observation down in her notes app before entering the shop. Christmas music greeted her, bringing a smile to her face, and the scent of pine made her think of Christmas morning. The atmosphere in the shop definitely put a customer in the Christmas mood. A plus for Waylon.
As she studied the store, Starr continued taking notes. Like the fact that no one had greeted her, making the store seem unattended. Next came the observation that the shelves hadn’t experienced a good dusting in a while. If he kept it up, he’d have his own faux snow. She squinted at a nearby display. Never mind, that is snow. Surely there was a better product to provide a winter look versus one that would have patrons whipping out hand sanitizer.
Not only that, but none of the displays were cohesive. The lack of organization could overwhelm customers who liked to see all ornaments in one section and Christmas stockings in another. Had the shop been like this when Waylon’s mom had run it? She bit her lip. Starr would have to moderate her words when offering suggestions. No way she wanted to insult Waylon’s mom or the memories that surely existed in the place.
Waylon walked through a doorway and paused, box in hand, before his full lips curved. “Hey there. When did you get here?” He placed the carboard container on the checkout counter.
“About five minutes ago.” She smiled, her heart fluttering as she stepped closer.
“I’m sorry. My front doorbell must be broken.” He walked over, opened the door, and frowned. “Yep.” He ran a hand over the top of his small ’fro. “One more thing to add to my list.”
“Hey.” Starr laid a hand on his forearm. “I’ll help. That’s why I’m here.”
“Thank you. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you. I figured you’d just tell me to get a website and then bounce.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You don’t have a website?”
A sheepish grin covered his face as he shook his head.
“Social media sites?”
He shook it once more.
Oh no. “Email?”
Waylon chuckled. “I do have a store email and business cards. Mom liked the personal touch.”
“You need a website stat, along with a social media presence. An online presence will get customers into your store. And if you’re willing to mail items, you can reach customers around the world.”
“Add that to the list.”
She held up her cell. “Already started one.”
“Really?” His eyes widened.
Was he worried? She nodded.
Waylon groaned, sliding his hands into his pockets. “All right. Do you want to give me a first impression?”