I moved with purpose and speed. I took a quick shower and dressed in jean shorts and a tan blouse. I grabbed the first clean thing I saw. I brushed my teeth, put on deodorant and didn’t have time for much of anything else. I slipped on my sandals and brushed my hair into a single high ponytail. I unlocked my apartment door and stepped into the landing.
As I walked down the steps I heard faint noises. Nothing alarming but still noise. As I approached it was the distinctive sound of music. Then there were voices. I tiptoed down and contemplated whether I should go back upstairs for a weapon.
A feminine giggle lured me further down the steps. When I hit the first floor I peeked around the corner. Jason— he was standing behind the candy counter on the left. He was talking to a girl. She was more like a young woman. She was fully developed and wearing coverall shorts, a crop top, and drug store flip-flops.
My racing heart was gradually slowing down. I had so many questions but nothing seemed to be peculiar or out of the ordinary. Jason was smiling and the girl was too. I noticed the bag of candy in the counter. She’d bought something. I was sure he hadn’t given it to her for free. Her wallet was on the counter and Jason was keen on not giving out too many samples.
He noticed me as I approached.
“Hey, boss.” His twisted smile was truly disarming, charming and not the least bit alarming.
“Hey,” I said with a bit of disorientation in my face.
I could see the young girl checking me out. Her bright blue eyes made that abundantly clear. It was unusual to be scrutinized by a girl this young. She was really giving me the once, twice and thrice over and I was old enough to be her mother. Did she really think I was competition for her? It was cute and flattering. She would’ve made my day if I cared about such things.
I wanted to laugh at the silliness of the situation but I didn't. I held it together. Instead of saying anything more, I walked out of the room altogether. I went into the kitchen to fix my face.
I waited for the bells on the door to jingle. When they did, I knew she’d left the store. I walked back into the storeroom and stood across the counter.
Jason turned the already low music down to barely a hum.
“Okay, so how did you get in?” I asked. “Why didn’t you call me on my cell? Why didn’t you wake me? Why didn’t you knock on my door?” He was grinning from ear to ear. “Why are you smiling at me?” I wanted to know. I needed answers.
“You look so cute when you rattle on like that.”
“Jason.” I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t help it.
“Okay Kat, which question do you want me to answer first?”
“How did you get inside this store?”
“There’s a key hidden in the backyard. I used it to enter after I rang the bell and knocked incessantly.”
“A key. Where is this key?”
“I put it back outside.” He licked his lips and it was a bit distracting but whatever.
“Where was it hidden?”
“It’s under the cushion on the chair closest to the grill.”
“How did you know that?” His nonchalance was infuriating.
“I clean this place inside and outside. I found it when I was cleaning the backyard.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?”
“That the key was under the stupid cushion.” I realized my hands were on my hips.
“I thought you put it there.”
“Why would I put it there?”
“It’s your shop.” He shrugged.
I instantly felt stupid. I didn’t have a clue there was a spare key. Sure the store was half-owned by me but I abandoned this place a long time ago. I didn’t know much about the place at all. Cherise only had time to show me the basics.
Jason’s soft brown eyes were gazing into me, examining me. I didn’t know what to say. What could I say that didn’t make me look like an idiot? I had come off somewhat hostile and I wished I didn’t. He hadn’t done anything but his job.
“Kat—”
“So you just let yourself in and opened the store?”
“Yes, that’s what I did.” His face was flawlessly confused. “You told me you were going to take some allergy medicine before bed because you were having a slight allergic reaction to something unknown. We never could pinpoint what it was but you assumed it was something that you ate. When I arrived, I thought that you probably took the medication and was sleeping it off. Your car is parked in the garage out back. I knew you were here. I didn’t think you were ignoring my knocks and the doorbell ringing on purpose. You wouldn’t do that. We ended the night without any quarrel. But more importantly, how are you feeling this morning?”
His story seemed plausible.
“I’m fine. Better, I think I’m fine.”
I felt like such an idiot for asking him all those questions. Over a week ago, I drove by the house he lived in with his aunt and uncle. The place was huge and expensive. Jason obviously didn’t have to steal from me. What the hell was he going to steal— candy?
I frowned at myself. I felt like crap. When I looked down I saw that Jason had taken my hands in his. What was he doing?
“Kat, I’m here to help you. That’s why you hired me.”
I looked back up into his eyes. He was being really sincere. I was caught off guard because something about this moment seemed intimate. It wasn’t sexual but it was something else I couldn’t explain.
“Kat, it’s okay. You don’t have to worry when I’m around. You might find this hard to believe but I can handle anything.”
Not sure why my heart picked up the pace but it did. This kid was
