She stayed away from him the next three days. He never left her mind but she couldn't go near him. She wanted him too much. She felt weak around him. And most of all, she was scared.
She started the new job Wednesday and she loved it right away. Mona was a sweet boss and easy to talk to and she quickly learned that she was good with customers.
After three days Dean missed her too much and decided to do something about it. As his lunchbreak started, he walked to the mall and into the beauty store. He saw her closing a deal with another customer so instead the owner Lita walked over to him.
"Can I help you?" She asked.
"Yes. I'm looking for a gift for my girlfriend," he answered.
The other customer walked out of the store and he noticed that Veronica was paying attention to him and Mona.
"Anything particular in mind?" Lita asked.
"Yes, perfume. She likes the scent of lavender," he answered.
"Oh good, I got just the one," she said and went to grab a bottle of perfume.
He recognized it right away. It had been ten years since he had bought it for her the first time but she had never bought another perfume since.
"Yes, that's the one," he said and smiled.
They walked to the counter. Although he was talking to Lita, his eyes were on Veronica who was standing there too.
"You want me to gift wrap it for you?" Lita asked.
"No, no need. I'm not gonna give it to her. I'm gonna put it in my house so it's there the day she decides to move in with me," he answered.
"Well, have you asked her to?" She asked.
"Yes, I have. A couple of times actually," he answered.
"And has she said yes?" She asked.
"Not yet but I know she will soon. She loves me just as much as I love her and one of these days, we're not gonna be apart anymore," he answered.
Veronica swallowed and turned away so he couldn't see the tears in her eyes. Dean paid for the perfume.
"It's really a lovely store you have here. I'll be back some other time," he said as he took the perfume.
"You're always welcome," Lita said and smiled.
He walked away.
"What a lovely, young man," Lita said to Veronica.
"Yeah, a lovely man," Veronica said.
She got off work an hour later and she walked straight to the supermarket. He was standing by the counter, just smiling this huge smile when he saw her.
"You're a jerk," she said but smiled back.
"What? I just told the truth. I did ask my girlfriend to move in with me," he said.
"I'm not your girlfriend," she said.
He pretended not to hear her.
"And although she said no at first, she'll come around," he said.
"It's not up for negotiation," she said.
He leaned over the counter and looked at her.
"No, you're right. It's not. I've already won. I know you're gonna come sooner or later and I can wait," he said.
"Still the same old crazy Dean," she said and shook her head.
"I also bought a toothbrush for you," he said.
"Stop it," she said.
"It's orange," he said.
"Seriously, stop it," she said.
They looked at each other for a couple of seconds.
"You're not making this easy for me," she said.
"Then I'm doing it right," he said.
"You need to respect my marriage," she said.
"Why should I when you don't?" He asked, challenging her.
She sighed and took a couple of steps backwards.
"Goodbye Dean," she said and turned around.
"I'm closing both tonight and tomorrow if you need anything on those late and lonely hours," he said.
She didn't say anything. She just walked out of the supermarket.