Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Once I’m clocked in, I join Kathy up at the registers. There are no customers in the store right now, and I feel like I can hear echoes as I walk.
Kathy sees me biting my lip at the emptiness and nods.
“Yeah, ShopMore is barely hanging on. People in town can’t afford to buy groceries, so Mr. Hemsworth has been giving away groceries to people in need. That’s on top of all the donations he makes to the food bank and soup kitchen.”
I’m stunned.
“Wow, I had no idea Mr. Hemsworth did that, but I’m grateful,” I confess. “Honestly, my brother and I can’t afford groceries either, and that’s why I had to get a job.”
Kathy puts a hand on my shoulder sympathetically.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Britney, but I hope things go back to normal soon so we can all stop stressing so much. A lot of people are going hungry, so your family isn’t the only one.”
I smile wanly.
“Thanks.”
Kathy shoots me another reassuring grin.
“Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, what do you say we begin your training?”
I nod.
“Sure, I’m ready.”
“First, we need to get your name tag. Mr. Hemsworth has it in his office.”
My breath grows short. Oh my god, I’m going to see him! I try to control my racing heartbeat, but I know my cheeks are flushed.
Kathy walks briskly to the office in the back. She knocks twice and waits for John to answer.
“Come,” commands that low voice.
The door swings open and he grins when he sees me.
“Hey, Britney. Welcome to your first day of work. I have your name tag right here.”
My boss is godawful gorgeous, with his black hair and devastating blue eyes. He’s dressed casually today in a button down that highlights the breadth of his shoulders, and soft denim jeans that hang from his hips. My eyes slide to his crotch and I gasp a bit at the size of the bulge there, but then I look away quickly.
He grins, and those blue eyes dance. He knows exactly his effect on me. But John stays totally controlled.
“You want me to pin your name tag on?” he asks casually.
I flush, but then I nod, pushing my hair away so that an expanse on my chest is clear. Those bronzed hands are swift and sure, and he pins the name tag right above my left breast. When Kathy’s not looking, his finger slips gently over my nipple and my eyes go up to meet his with shock, even as electricity pulses straight from my pink crest to my pussy.
Oh my god. Did that really just happen? Did John really just stroke my nipple? But his face looks completely composed and calm, and he merely smiles again.
“It was good seeing you,” he says conversationally. “I’ll catch up with you ladies later, okay?”
Kathy, completely oblivious, nods and leads me out of the room.
“Sure thing, boss,” she says while closing the door. Then she’s back to business, unaware that I’m practically melting in place.
“That was quick,” she says cheerily. “But now we’re good to go. Have you shopped here before?”
I swallow thickly, trying to come back to the moment. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. It’s hard, but I force myself to focus.
“I haven’t been to ShopMore in a while. My brother does most of the grocery shopping in our family, ever since my parents passed away a few years ago,” I manage to choke out.
“I’m so sorry, Britney.”
“No, it’s okay. It was painless, I think.”
“Still, it must be hard.”
I blink away tears. I hate talking about my parents. Losing them was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. Sometimes, I have dreams about them, and when I wake up, I’m forced to remember they’re gone all over again. It sucks.
“Well, let me give you a tour since you might not be familiar with where everything is,” my new co-worker says. I swallow again.
“That would be great.”
Kathy doesn’t slow down at all as she takes me aisle by aisle. She explains where the basics are while adding her own commentary.
“Yeast has been a big seller recently. Apparently, everyone is making bread while in quarantine. It’s on Aisle Eight on the top shelf, above baking soda and cocoa powder.”
“Got it,” I say, filing it in my mental cabinet.
I won’t remember the location of every item today, but I’ll get used to where everything is after a few weeks. Since the store is so empty, I should be able to wander the aisles during my shift and familiarize myself with the layout. But regardless, Kathy is doing a good job of giving me a preliminary idea of where most items are.
“I’m glad you’re here, Britney,” my co-worker says as we turn the corner into the dairy section. It’s our last aisle on the tour. “I have three kids, all under age ten. My husband and I got started late. I’m forty-five years old now. Too old to have a two-year-old at home, let me tell you. Anyway, your being here means I’ll get to spend more time at home with my kids, so thank you for walking in last week. I don’t think Mr. Hemsworth was going to hire anyone if you hadn’t showed up. Your presence forced his hand.”