A Day in a Life

Chapter Sixteen

Saige

I ’M IN THE ladies’ room again, this time feeling more than rattled. I’m flustered to the nth degree.

I just need another minute to compose myself. I can’t seem to steady my breathing. What is wrong with me tonight?

Brook walks in, placing her hands on her hips. “Hey, weirdo, you cheated on your bathtub. Gotta say, it was fantastic from my point of view. How was it for you?”

“Shut up.”

“Oooooo, that good, huh?”

“I landed on top of him. On top of him! To make matters worse, I didn’t get up right away. I…lingered. Oh my gosh. I…I…lollygagged. On top of a customer.”

“Oh, honey, that wasn’t a customer. That was a man. A real man. And he wasn’t anywhere near seventy.”

She’s right. Our customers are often senior citizens on vacation. Thank goodness it didn’t happen with an older man. I could’ve killed him.

“He had a cane. I could’ve injured him. I’m so embarrassed.”

“That cane looks good on him. I mean, a hunk of a man like him with a cane…it’s downright sexy.” Brook fans her face. “Don’t say you didn’t notice. I won’t believe you.”

“He’s…cuter than my bathtub.” I’m willing to admit it.

“Ha! I knew it. You like him.”

“Who wouldn’t? He looks like he just walked out of an L.L.Bean catalog. Except he’s modeling beach attire.”

“Well, he’s left the premises. I doubt you’ll ever see him again. So quit worrying about it. You can go home to your bathtub feeling guiltless.”

Hmmm. Why do I feel disappointed? It’s my own fault. He was friendly, complimenting my name, trying to start a conversation with me. He even asked me to take a walk with him.

I refused. Why did I refuse?

I’m not ready. I don’t know if I ever will be. My heart is sealed shut. With super glue. That stuff doesn’t come off for anything. The idea of letting a man into my life gives me the shakes. Like I’m-scared-to-death kind of shakes.

I haven’t dated in nearly seven years. Not once. Not even a flutter of interest in the opposite sex has entered my iron-encrusted heart. Then today happened, and bam! I’m fluttering like crazy.

I hit myself with a face palm. “I’ve noticed one man in my entire time working here. He seemed interested, and I blew him off. I’m an idiot.”

“Have to agree with you there. By the way, he wanted nothing to do with me. He was all about you. Lucky girl.”

I take a deep breath. “Well, it’s over now, and we can forget about it. Let’s get this shift over with. I’m so done.”

Brook gives me a quick hug, and we leave the ladies’ room, my sanctuary this evening.

“Saige,” Sissy calls. “The man you assaulted today was thankful for your help. He left you this tip.” Sissy hands me a crisp twenty-dollar bill. Then she winks at me. “You sure do know how to pick the cute ones. But don’t let me catch you on top of another young handsome customer. If this becomes a thing with you, it’s curtains.” She walks away, laughing so loudly it’s more of a cackle.

Brook laughs too, so hard she has tears running down her face.

I flash her my dirtiest look. “Knock it off, weirdo.”

“Hey, I’m not the one tackling—and lollygagging on top of—handsome customers because my love life is lacking.”

Randall and Sissy join Brook in laughing so hard they’re practically howling.

I don’t even crack a smile.