I just stared at him, uncomprehending. He confidently waited for my response.
"What'd you say?"
"I asked if I could take you out this Friday… is this okay?"
My breathing grew uneven as I remembered Matt's death. He was my first love—only love. We had been together for nine years before he died of leukemia a while ago. After his passing, I swore to myself that never again would 'falling in love' be on my to-do list. This means, no guys—whatsoever.
"No. I can't… I'm sorry." I started ringing up his stuff without looking away from it. I wouldn't let him see me cry because I'd start feeling vulnerable which isn't good… at all. Guys always took advantage of a girl's vulnerability. It wasn't going to happen here. I yanked my hand out of his.
"May I ask why?"
"No, you may not, sir." I paused. "I'm done now. Do you have any money? You need to pay now."
Adam looked flustered, but still kept his smile in tact.
"As a matter of fact, I do! Isn't that lovely?" He laughed. "I always seem to lose it. Here it is!" Adam handed me his cash, but closed his hand around mine. "If you're willing to change your mind, give me a call."
I forced my hand away. "Have a nice day, sir. Come see us again!" I didn't want to say that last part, but it was the business policy. I suddenly detested it.
As he walked out the door, he turned back slightly towards me. "I might take you up on that."

The next day continued on the same pattern as yesterday, except for the fact that Adam was not there. You'd think he would, but he didn't seem like the type of guy who would remember an average-looking girl like me. What do I have to offer, anyway? My hair is stick-straight and I'm paler than a ghost! The eyes God decided to 'grant' me with didn't seem to like sticking to one color, either. That was definitely NOT the type of girl a beautiful-looking actor would want. No, he'd remember a woman who had platinum blonde hair, a dark tan, fresh manicure and pedicure… that sort of thing. And that woman wasn't Livia Jameson. I shook my head in utter dismay.
But, why should I care? Didn't the promise to Matt mean anything to me now? That was the reason why I turned Adam down, so why was breaking it seem so appealing? The reason didn't come. My forehead creased as I contemplated. My heart pounded loudly in my chest as my eyes closed tight. The hollow part in my stomach ripped open.
"Livia… Livia? Livia?!" Mark Phelps, the store manager, frantically tore away from his office and ran to me. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Oh. I didn't know anyone could notice my emptiness, but I guess so. I'd been trying so hard to hide it.
"Say Something!"
"I—I…" I fought to find a logical response that didn't leave him worrying about me.
"Yes?" He prompted.
"I'm fine. I—I was just thinking of…"
"Matt," He finished.
Mark knew of my old boyfriend and had helped me through life those first few months after he died. Without him, I don't know where I'd be now… probably dead, I supposed.

When the apparent tears stopped flowing, Mark breathed in a deep sigh of relief. His features softened as I looked into his deep blue eyes, watching for any signs of discomfort… there were none. They were only full of understanding. My heart fluttered when he squeezed my left hand.
"Okay now?" He whispered soothingly, making the whole room go quiet at the sound of his smooth voice.
I just nodded, not taking my eyes off of him. Mark's hand gently stroked my damp cheek, drying some of my tears. For the briefest instant, his fingers traced my lips. I breathed in deeply, taking in his natural scent. He didn't really need anything to help him smell better. Everything about the gas station manager was natural… and unbelievably effortless. I'm sure many people envied him for it.
"Good. Are you ready to get back to work now?"
"I—I… I think so." I paused. "Thanks Mark. I appreciate it.'
He shrugged.
"You're my friend and that's what friends do for each other, right?" His mouth formed a smile.
"Right."
"Great, well… think you can make it through the rest of the day?"
I laughed weakly.
"I think so."

When I calmed down enough to start working again, a customer whom I didn't recognize was impatiently tapping her Prada sandals. She was holding a brown package that was about the size of a five foot, six inch cylinder. I watched this woman through Mark's office window.
The feeling of dread washed over me. My head was telling me to help this lady, but my will was just the opposite. Something else inside my soul was screaming not to come closer. The two messages blended together and made my stomach ache with uncertainty.
Suddenly, the woman's eyes fell on mine. Her brow furrowed in utter annoyance and revulsion. It was like she'd never seen an average-looking girl ever in her wealthy and fictitious life. The thought of that disgusted me.
"Are you Livia Jameson?" She asked snidely, narrowing her sapphire blue eyes.
I casually strolled over to the woman standing in the middle of the store, trying to ignore her unscrupulousness. After all, biting the hook would result in big trouble.

"Do you need anything, ma'am?"
The lady lifted her chin, successfully accomplishing the pretentious look. It took everything in my power to not roll my eyes and tell her that she's, in fact, not making herself look any better by doing that.
"Someone told me to hand-deliver this package to you," She shoved the heavy entity into my arms and walked off without another word.
How odd, I thought. Who, in her circle of 'friends' would think of me? No, here's a better question: How would they even know me enough to care this much? There was no answer. Just the soft purr of the air vents and occasional pitter patter of footsteps coming and going.
I set the substantial gift down on the pay desk. My fingers traced the sophisticated designs on the shiny crimson wrapping paper. I found the scissors that are kept in my purse and carefully cut it, avoiding places that hadn't a hard surface underneath. By the time I completed the task, my eyes were bulging out of their sockets because the cylinder object was in fact, a HUGE vase filled with chocolate and caramel candy hearts. A glossy card was prominently displayed on top of the sugary sweets, making the whole bestowal even more momentous.