She smoothed out her coat and skirt, pacing around the corner, running her hands through her hair where her ears had been. Her stomach felt very light and fluttery.

"You've passed by every day. It's time to just do it!"

Dante stood turned towards the window, waiting for her to pass by. She had passed by every day for the past two weeks, and Dante always made sure to catch her when she did. He ignored the bell when someone came in, they could figure out what they needed. His face softened anxiously, his eyes searching for her. He heard a woman clear her throat at the counter. He sighed and turned, lowering his head. When he added up the price he looked up expectantly. His words nearly caught in his throat when he saw her.

A gorgeous 35-year-old woman stood before him. Her hair was a deep coal color; wavy and spilling down her back. Her eyes were a dark yellowish-amber, framed perfectly by dark, thick lashes. Her face was oval-shaped with a small chin, a round nose, and very plump lips. At the moment her cheeks were a little flushed from outside, making all the more desirable. For a moment, Dante felt himself staring. He lowered his head and told her the price.

As she fished her wallet out of her small purse, she said, "I'm so glad you guys are open, I sooo needed my fix."

He looked at her purchase and raised an eyebrow.

"Fix on what, the energy bar or the milk?"

She giggled, he felt his heart pick up speed.

"The milk, I can't start my morning without it."

She handed him the money.

He nodded, "I completely understand." he said sarcastically

She smiled as he gave her the receipt, their eyes meeting for a split second. He flushed. She gathered her things.

"Thanks a lot " she glanced at his name tag, "Dante."

"Have a nice day." he said wistfully

She smiled, "You too."

And then she was gone.

Dante glanced up at the window for what seemed to be the gazillionth time.

"No customers, Randal almost set the store on fire again, and it's 5:30… This is what I get minimum wage for."

He sighed and dropped his head on the counter. A small chime brought him up.

"Hey Dante." she said cheerfully

He smiled, "Can I help you?"

"Nah," she waved dismissively, "I got it."

She grabbed her pint of milk and energy bar, humming to herself.

She set the items down on the counter, "By the way, my name's Stephanie."

He nodded robotically, repeating her name in his head to remember.

"So," she grinned, "how's work treatin' ya?"

He simpered sarcastically, "Great! I love waking up at 4 in the morning to come to work." she handed him money, "Especially when I'm not even supposed to be here!"

She chuckled, "Sorry to hear it man."

He handed her her things in a small bag, "It's alright, I don't mind so much now."

She glanced up to see him smile at her flirtatiously. A small, pleased smile appeared while her face flushed.

"W-Well… Have a nice day." she squeaked as she headed for the door

"You too!" he called

For the rest of the day he would be grinning to himself and treating his customers a tiny bit better. Even Randal couldn't seem to get to him.

(a few days later)

"What're you doing here so early?"

Dante raised his head from the counter to watch Randal waltz in the door.

"I could ask you the same thing." he said tiredly

"I open."

Dante gave Randal his trademark annoyed look, "No you don't. It's 4 in the morning, you're never up this early."

"Wrong. I am today." Randal smiled

"But the video store isn't supposed to open for another 4 hours."

"Today it opens 4 hours early."

Dante sighed, "Okay, why are you here?"

Randal shrugged, "To bug you. Why else would I be up at this God-awful hour?"

Dante went to say 'No, seriously', but cut it short when Stephanie walked in.

He smiled, "Hey Stephanie."

She returned it energetically, "Hey Dante."

Randal turned to Dante and waggled his eyebrows.

Dante frowned, "Leave. Now."

Randal put up his hands, grinned suggestively and walked out the door.

Stephanie turned from the milk and furrowed her eyebrows, "Me?"

Dante turned to her, his eyes brightening, "No, no! My idiot friend that just left!"

"Oh."

She brought over her morning norm.

"Is this all you have for breakfast everyday?" he asked earnestly

She blinked innocently, "Whadd'ya mean?"

"Nothing. It just doesn't seem extremely healthy."

She turned around and looked around the store. He heard a sharp intake of breath before she pranced over to an isle. She came back with a pack of Altoids in hand. Dante roared with laughter.

"That's not exactly what I meant." he chuckled when he was done

She smiled and shrugged, "It's more in my stomach."

He laughed again, "Oh yeah, I forgot how filling Altoids are."

She giggled, "I always thought so."

She handed him money. Dante went to say something smart but was interrupted by the chime of the door.

"So I have a question for Stephanie here."

Dante winced at Randal's voice.

"Please go away." Dante said quietly

Randal ignored him, "Are you gonna go out with him or what?"

Dante's eyes opened wide. Stephanie flushed, a small nervous smile creeping on her face.

"W-Wh-" she stammered, "What?"

"Do you want to have a date with this fine specimen?" Randal said in a show-announcer's voice, gesturing to Dante in a flashy way

Dante felt heat rush to his face. Stephanie looked at him and relaxed, the smile on her face widening.

"Yeah," she tilted her head admiringly, "I do, actually."

She winked at Dante and brushed past Randal, quietly slipping out the door.

Dante stood staring at the door, his mouth agape. Randal nudged him with his elbow, chuckling and grinning suggestively.

Dante shook out of his daze, "Did that really just happen?"

"Yep." Randal nudged Dante again, "And all thanks to your amazing friend Randal."

Dante elbowed him and grinned, "Don't get ahead of yourself there champ."

Randal shrugged as he headed for the door, "Say whatever you want, but whatever happens know that you have me to thank for it."

Dante rolled his eyes.