Clack. Clack. Clack.

My index finger tapped rapidly at the 'Enter' button on the dusty keyboard as I stared absentmindedly at the flickering computer screen.

1:49 PM. Clack. 1:50 PM. Clack. 1:50 PM.

'Time could not go slower', I thought to myself, as I watched the small digital clock in the top right corner of the screen.

I pushed myself away, and peered around the corner of the booth. I scanned both corners of the garden for my managers before I reached for my cell phone. Quickly, I pushed the screen up, fingers resting on the small keys as I began typing a message to my best friend.

Dude, I'm so bored!

My finger pressed down; gently on the send button and I watched the little icon pop-up. Sending Message…Sending Message…

SMACK!

A rolled up magazine rapped across my knuckles and I flinched back, surprised. I spun around, only to come face-to-face with the twinkling eyes and the gleaming teeth of Cory, my manager.

"Texting on the job again," he observed, grabbing my phone, "It's like you never learn."

"Give it back!" I hissed back, grabbing for the small, black device, "What are you doing out here anyway? You should be up at the front."

"Janice just came in. I volunteered to take over for Jack in the garden," he explained, his laugh brushing against my cheek, as he jumped back, holding the phone high over his head, where I couldn't reach.

"Give it back, Jerk!" I grounded out, lunging towards him again.

"Uh-uh. Pay attention, Shorty," he whispered, his warm breath tickling my neck, "You have a customer heading your way."

I turned and leaned over my counter, and sure enough, an elderly woman was heading towards my register. I groaned inwardly when I saw her cart, filled to the top with discounted plants and cheap garden tools.

"Don't forget to smile," Cory whispered, loudly, his hip bumping against mine. "After all, we do offer THE best customer service."

I glared up at him, a sharp retort on my tongue. His forest green eyes twinkled, and he jerked his chin, indicating that the woman had reached the check out area. I stuck my tongue at him before turning to face my customer, a fake pleasant smile plastered across my face.

"Hi!" I chirped, "Nice day out, huh?"

The old woman smiled and nodded, slowly reaching for the items in her cart.

"No, no! Let me get that for you!" I said, walking around the counter, the item scanner in my hand, reaching for the dried up tomato plants.

"Oh thank you, Sweatheart. I just can't move as fast I used," she explained as she groped for her wallet in her purse.

"I hear ya on that," Cory piped up, coming up behind me, reaching over my shoulder for the plants I already scanned.

"Are you calling yourself an old man, Cory?" I asked, scanning the last plant in the woman's cart. Plant still in hand, I bumped shoulders with Cory as I walked to my booth, placing the plant on the countertop for him to grab and bag.

"Pretty good looking for an 'old man' though, eh?" he laughed, winking at the old woman as he loaded the bags back into her cart.

I scoffed, rolling my eyes at Cory's over the top charm, as I pressed the 'Total' button the keyboard.

"Your total comes out to twenty twenty-five."

"Ah, just a minute," murmured the woman, her fingers shaking slightly as she thumbed out several wrinkled bills, "There you are, Dear."

I tapped the 'Enter' button on screen and the cash drawer swung open.

"Seventy-five cents is your change. And here's your receipt."

"Have wonderful day!" Cory chimed in, leaning over my shoulder. "Hope to see you soon, Ma'am."

The woman grasped the handles of the cart and smiled at Cory, before leaning over the counter towards me. "Keep him around," she whispered, "He's polite, charming, and quite the looker. I would insist that he take my granddaughter out for dinner, but it seems like he's already interested in someone else. "

Cory's bark of laughter rang in my ear, and I awkwardly waved back to the woman as she walked out, my face suddenly warm with embarrassment. I coughed, hiding my slightly red face behind my hand.

"Huh," Cory chuckled, "I guess I wasn't as subtle as I thought I was being. Well, anyways. Janice just paged me; Carly's here. Clean up and clock out, Shorty."

I gaped at him as he began to walk towards the glass door leading back into the main store, "Wait! You can't just walk away like that!"

"Oh right," he said, reaching into his pocket, pulling out my cell phone, "Forgot to give you this back."

I walked out towards him to get the black device back, "Yeah, thanks, but that wasn't what I wanted to talk—"

"I put my number in there for you, you know," he interrupted, looking down at me, his messy brown fringes falling over his eyes. A light blush dusted his checks. "You should uh...text me sometimes. Or something."

I looked down as our fingers brushed against one another. "Oh, but…" I looked up to the whoosh of the glass doors sliding shut. Cory was nowhere in sight.

I sighed and looked down at the phone in my hand, still warm from having been in Cory's pocket. I grinned as I scrolled through my contacts, until I reached the name I was looking for.

You. Me. Food and fun. Sometime soon. Thanks, bye.

I walked back to my register and began tapping at the 'Enter' button again.

1:59 PM. Clack. 1:59 PM. Clack. 2:00 PM.

'Finally!' I thought to myself and hit the 'clock out' button on the screen just as my phone vibrated in my hand.

Quit texting on the clock, Shorty.

I glared at the nickname, ready to send a sarcastic retort back, when the phone vibrated again.

I'll pick you up at 5:30. Dinner and movies. Tonight.