It has been days, and Eion’s two friends kept on returning to the shop ever since that day.
“Hey Snow!” Leroy booms as soon as he enters the shop. Yes, they had frequently visited the store that I call them by their names now. A few customers’ heads turned around but returned to chattering with each other.
“I’ll have the same as usual,” he said. I don’t know how or when we really did get close enough to the point that he just barges in and yells my name loudly, but it’s fine for me, I guess.
“Me too, the usual please, and her number of course.” Dax winked, offering me a flirty smile that I promptly rolled my eyes at. And I don’t know how or when we really did we got close enough to the point that Dax just flirts at me so casually.
Emma eyed me curiously as if to ask ‘how did you guys end up as friends and that close’. Honestly, Emma, I don’t know exactly how but I just mouthed a ‘later’ before returning back to where the boys were waiting, handing them their orders and waiting for Leroy to pay.
“Hey, Emma!” Dax called out.
She looked at him with wide eyes before looking away. Dax attempts to talk to Emma again and Leroy can’t seem to find his purse.
“Got it!” Leroy exclaimed when he finally fished out his wallet
“I’m sorry but my friend doesn’t want to,” I said to Dax, hoping he would finally give up on her. Although I had unusually gotten a bit closer to them, I still chose Emma. Emma would kill me if I gave them her number to Dax.
“Well then, I’ll just give her my number,” Dax replied, still finding a way and not giving up on chasing Emma. ‘Do you have a tissue?” he asked me.
Nodding, I gave him one and he borrowed my pen and wrote down his number on the tissue. He then gave it to me. “Make sure to give it to her, alright?”
I gaped at him. Really? He doesn’t know when to give up, does he? He took out a pen and wrote numbers on the tissue, before handing it to me; I gave it a careful look, taking it hesitantly.
“Dax, stop scaring her. Accept the truth. That girl doesn’t like you,” said Leroy, facing me. “Right Snow?”
“Uhm, yes…” I hesitantly agreed. Gosh, good thing Leroy is here because if not, I would have driven away Dax long ago.
“I know, which makes me more challenged,” Dax replied. I sighed. I can’t with him. This boy doesn’t want to give up.
“Your orders will be arriving soon,” I said and started to prepare their orders. When I was finished, I handed them their orders, and they immediately left after that.
“How did you get close to them?” Emma asked me when the coast was clear, walking towards me.
“They are our boss’s friends. They had always been here for days now. The blonde one, Dax, was giving his number to you.” I gave her the tissue which has Dax’s number on it.
She groaned in tiredness. “Not again.”
I chuckled at her reaction, bopping her nose playfully. “Well, it’s hard to be that beautiful. I mean, I tried hard to chase him away, but he just doesn’t want to give up on you, Emma.”
She rolled her eyes. “I guess he just wanted to mess around.”
I shrugged, “Whatever floats your boat. But he said he’s challenged you.”
She snorted, “He’s not my type.”
I raised my eyebrows at that, “Really? We’ll see about that,” Winking at her, I gave her a playful push, teasing her. “Psh, try saying that after you fall in love with him.”
Plus, it’s payback for teasing me back when she teased me with Eion. I guess she feels what I am feeling now.
I felt my phone ringing from my pockets when I was taking an order from a customer. Finishing my job first, I took it out and saw that Hannah’s name was in the caller ID.
I quickly answered, “Hello, Hannah?”
“Oh, hello Snow! I could hear Hannah’s voice greeting from the other line. “Were you busy? I’m hoping I’m not bothering you.”
I shook my head, responding to her, “No, it’s okay. Why did you call? Do you need my help?”
She chuckled, “Oh, I was just bored and thought of chatting with you. How is working at my cousin’s shop? Is everything good?”
I smiled at that. Oh right, I honestly almost forgot that she and Eion are cousins. Gosh, I just can’t get used to it. “Also, before I forget, Aunt Maggie wanted me to invite you and your mother and Nathan again tomorrow, to talk about her wedding. She really wants to see you again.” She said, not letting me reply.
I chuckled as she continued our nice little chat. When another customer appeared after a few minutes, I said my goodbyes and we wrapped up our call.
Since it’s weekdays, people at their work and customers were only a few, although there were some who come and go to order and fight off the heat with the cold ice cream.
It didn’t take long for the door to jingle and open again, announcing another customer. “A strawberry ice cream in a cone please,” a little boy about Nathan’s age asked excitedly, holding out money for himself.
I smiled at him, “Anything else, sir?” I asked. “Do you want me to sprinkle marshmallows? Or any toppings you want?”
He shook his head, “No, I just want the plain one.”
I nodded, being a little more cheerful than usual. Because of Nathan, I feel like I have a soft spot for little children, “Got it, sir. Coming right up!”
I handed the little boy his cone together with his order, “Here you go, sir,”
He got it and paused to stare at my face. “Is there something wrong with my face, sir?” I asked, a bit curious why he was staring at me.
“You’re so pretty,” he blurted out unexpectedly. I raised an eyebrow, chuckling at that. It feels good to receive a compliment from little children. It just feels genuine. “Awe, thank you,” I said anyway, reaching out to ruffle his hair like what I usually do to Nathan. “You’re too cute to be out here alone though, did you come here with someone?” I asked.
“No, I’m alone. And I’m not cute, I’m handsome!” he exclaimed loudly. I was taken aback. This boy sure does have confidence. I chuckled.
“Whatever you say, sir, you’re cute and handsome alright?” He nodded at that. Glancing at his order in his hand, I reminded him, “Your ice cream’s gonna melt if you don’t eat it soon,” He gasped and looked at his order. “Oh no!” He exclaimed, his dimples showing. Awee, so cute!
From behind me, I heard the door from Mr. Tim’s office or is now that robot’s office, opening, and closing. Turning around, Eion scowled at the little boy in front of me, holding his phone.
“Did you come here alone, Caleb?” He asked. Oh, does he know him?