Stephanie
He looks startled enough that I almost think I could laugh. It’s such an odd expression on him.
“What?” is all he says.
“How much do you know about hardware?” I say again.
He takes a second before he answers.
“Some. Why?” he says.
I can work with that. Even though when most guys answer in that vague way, they’re lying and hoping you won’t call them out on it.
I can’t even count the number of times customers have said “they’ve got everything under control” or “it’s just a simple job” and then come into the shop a few days later wanting help because they installed their water heater backwards and ended up flooding their whole basement.
So, even though Luca has an almost deer-in-the-headlights look, I keep going.
“Would you be able to help me out around the store? I can’t pay much, but there probably won’t be much to do, to be honest. It’s just, one of my employees, Frank, he keeps calling out sick and I need someone around to help the few customers that show up.”
That, and I do not want to be alone right now.
I don’t so much say that out loud, but I can tell from the way he looks at me, he hears it.
His expression softens.
“I can do a couple hours each day, sure.”
That makes me feel a bit better. Aside from being easy on the eyes, there’s just something about Luca that makes me feel safe. The way he moves — smooth and self-assured — and the fact that I’ve seen cadavers that get more rattled than him.
I reach into one of the drawers in my desk and pull out a dark green apron with “Turner Hardware” embroidered over the chest, and toss it to him.
“You start now,” I say. “And I promise I won’t make you do any janitorial stuff.”
I try and crack a smile at that last part.
He shrugs and slips it on over his head. The muscles in his arms and shoulders ripple and flex as he reaches behind his back to knot the apron.
Yeah, I stare. Hard.
He winks at me.
“Careful, boss. Those kind of looks are an HR department’s nightmare.”
“Lucky for me, I am the HR department.”
Apron or not, wearing a tight black t-shirt and form-fitting dark jeans, he looks more than a little out of place. Hardware store guys are supposed to be cut from the same mold; it’s like one of nature’s laws that they have to wear loose-fitting Wranglers and flannel shirts and look like ‘Al Boreland’ from Home Improvement.
But damn, the man looks good.
“Time for your training,” I say, getting up.
I lead him to the front of the store.
Sabrina’s jaw drops seeing Luca in his apron. Or maybe it’s at seeing the smile on my face. I’ve got this panty-melting man dressed in an apron and at my beck and call. Either way, I start right in with the explanations.
“Sabrina, Luca’s going to be helping us out part time,” I say. “Front of the store is Sabrina’s domain. She’s the queen of the register, so don’t worry, you won’t even need to know how to work them. You have any questions and I’m not around, she’ll be able to help you.”
He nods. “Got it, boss.”
“Even though I am your boss, I’d prefer you not call me that. Call me by my name, or, that other thing.”
“You mean bella?”
“If there’s no customers around,” I say. I can’t hold back a smile when he says it.
I motion for Luca to follow me further back into the store and start showing him around the inventory.
“Your main job is going to be helping people find what they need, giving them a hand carrying lumber, that sort of thing. So take some time to have a look around the store.”
“That’s it?” he says.
This whole time he’s been looking at me instead of paying attention to the stuff on the shelves. It’s flattering, and if I didn’t actually want his help with this place, it’d be great.
But I really do need someone to help out. I can’t manage everything by myself. This isn’t a game. If this store goes under, I have no idea what I’ll do.
“That’s the job,” I say.
I try and sound serious, like an actual boss.
“Seems easy enough,” he says, with a slight shrug of the shoulders.
No, he’s not taking this seriously at all.
I clench my jaw and look him right in the eyes.
“Luca, why are you really here? Seriously. If you think this is just a game, you should just do us both a favor and go back to your gym. This store is a part of my life, part of my family’s life. This is important.”
An intense look comes across his face, wiping out his smile and I’m starting to think I misjudged him.
“I’m not fucking around. Let me tell you something. Nearly a year ago, this kid came into the gym. He was mixed up in some serious shit, the kind of stuff that usually ends up with you lying on a cold slab of steel while a mortician pokes at you.”
Luca is staring right back at me and I can not look away.
“This coglione had some serious anger problems, along with a whole host of other shit — mostly of his own creation. But Jose didn’t give up on him. I didn’t give up on him. He’s doing all right, now. Left that stuff behind and, most days, he’s not a total disgrace. Seeing him turn his life around taught me you don’t think twice about fighting for the people you care about. You have my full fucking attention.”
There’s maybe an inch between us and I can feel the heat emanating from him. I’m not sure if he’s going to attack me or kiss me or what. But I know I misjudged him.
“I’m happy you were able to help your friend out. And I’m sorry for jumping on you like that.”
He smiles at me in a way that makes his dimples stand out and his eyes shine.
“I’m here to serve, bella.”
I think I could get used to hearing that.