Lollipop and promises

i

ys are

o the week. They're not like Fridays either, when people are mental

eholder between the days th

nd my register, rubbing at my temple as t

ong day. Long

ssigned chapter. But between working late last night and cramming for an upcoming quiz, I didn't have time. So inst

re was m

ing in the afternoon, I had to clean up a shattered pickle jar in Aisle Three, and I got stuck listening t

h. I'm

hear the chime

I tell myself no

Lolli

y he always shoves his hands in his jacket pockets. The

I don't know what's weirder-the fact that he comes in every single d

utral as he heads strai

front of me, placing a single cherry

t. Just tilt my head slightly an

st time, he

f a second, maybe l

hrugs. "I

ng him his change. "Tha

s at his lips. "It's n

my head. "So you

n't sa

dn't de

nything more. And just like that, the conversation is over. He tucks the

ys, he doesn

ft, I take t

through his phone, and an older woman knitting something bright orange. I lean against

s f

of answe

g every single day, I'd have a stronger opinion a

sn't seem

herry-flavored lollipops... or that'

ks with me longe

my brain still feels lik

ng against the counter as she e

, mouth half full

y shoes, sig

ond, then smirks. "Cherr

You need to stop

pposed to use

half a seco

Oh my God. You

my arms. "N

right throu

and down my face. "Ok

ust won something. "Eth

fridge, trying to ignore her smu

into her mouth. "And I bet he's just buyi

't re

ason, I don't think