Disclaimer: None of the characters in this story are based on real life people. I work at a well-run, popular bookstore. Located on the corner of 6 th street and Rugged Way, it’s in the center of downtown. We get a lot of customers from all round the city, as one of the largest bookstores, and also gain the attention of tourists from the nearby airport. We offer some of the best maps and guides at the cheapest prices, and a nice selection of Arizona gifts. To those of us who live in Arizona, we wonder who would ever want to come to this horrid 110ºF weather state? But then again, I suppose we do have some interesting historical locations, and a coyote or two. So although I work in a bookstore, I work in the “souvenir” department. I have a small counter that I technically share with my two department coworkers, but since our shifts rarely overlap, mostly I get it all to myself. When our shifts do overlap, I get great enjoyment from watching these two strange coworkers. The guy, around 31 years old, is gay, while the girl is 20 and boy-crazy. They will spend hours together staring at the attractive boys and men that come into the bookstore. Although that is fun, I would much rather be alone at my counter. When my coworkers are not there, I have better opportunities to mingle with coworkers from the books department, as well as talk to the customers. And there are indeed some attractive men that come in time to time. This story is on a Monday. It was a hot day in July, and the excitement had worn down from Independence Day a few weeks ago. The monsoons were late and sorely missed, as I walked in the blistering sun at 7:30 am (yes, it is so hot in the morning) from my house to the bookstore. The two mile walk had turned into a daily ritual of sweat, starting out in the warm dry air as the sun peaks over the mountain ridge, making me think Oh no, this isn’t so bad, then the sun rising higher and beating down upon me until I reach the enlightenment the refreshing, şişli escort sweet air conditioner gives me at the bookstore. My manager sometimes scolded me for my clothing, but I mean, why wasn’t I gonna wear short-shorts and a thin, loose tank top in this weather? Plus, I was 19, in my prime, plenty to show off if you get my meaning. It didn’t give me unwanted attention since I didn’t dress like a slut, but I knew what I was working with when I talked to The Boys. The Boys were the 5 young male employees in the bookstore. Their newest addition had quickly overtaken the group and become their leader it seemed: he was popular and talked a lot about parties and stuff, which really got the others interested. I wasn’t interested in him though… instead I had my eye on the quiet, self-assured 21-year-old called Daniel. He didn’t seem so attractive on first sight. Nice haircut and typical, clean American face, but only about 5 foot 11, not that tall, his figure looking pretty basic and thin. It was amazing to watch him lift huge boxes of heavy, hard-back books. He could lift more than the leader of the pack could, and when he took off his shirt, one realized their mistake in judging his attractiveness with it on. At 8 o’ clock when my shift started, I quickly scanned the bookstore for him. He had taken the last week off from work, and I had been preparing for today… today I was going to make my move. I was super confident, wearing bright red high heels (I would regret the stilettos at the end of the day I was sure), simple jean short-shorts, a rather low cut red, flowery top, and these beautiful ruby earrings I got for my birthday in June. Yes the theme was red, and I loved it. Such a bold color. I cashed into the register, swiftly counting out 300 hundred dollars and following all the little necessary procedures. So many little receipts to be initialed or signed, but then again, money was serious, and since the bookstore was doing so well, it was double şişli escort bayan as important to keep up security measures. When I was done and started asking the customers if they were finding everything ok, it was 8:30 so no big crowds, this beautiful boy walked in. ‘Probably gay,’ was my unashamedly biased first thought. He wasn’t macho or strong looking, just had this gorgeous face and combed back silvery blonde hair, bright bright intelligent blue eyes, and a slim, delicate body. You’ve probably misunderstood me by now, see I like buff guys, but this guy was just so gorgeous. The tall guy lingered for quite a while, smiling at me and denying the need for any help. He moved away from souvenirs and focused instead on some highly philosophical books, which was disappointing, since it was the farthest he could get from my counter. Maybe he didn’t like me. The thought was a bit depressing. Then at 9 I saw Daniel had started his shift, and I was excited again. God, he looked nice! I loved his dirty blond hair and hazel eyes, and the shirt he was wearing today really showed off his chest muscles and abs. My eyes strayed lower, and I smiled to myself. His jeans were kinda tight for a guy. I sauntered over to him, making up the excuses of returning books to their locations and asking customers if they were ok. When I reached him, I leaned down on his counter, propping up my elbows and peering up into his dark green eyes. He smiled at me. “Hey how’s it going Aya? Did you miss me?” “God yes,” I told him mournfully. “I was like a lonely raspberry. You wouldn’t understand, but my friend told me yesterday that raspberries die from loneliness. Isn’t that the saddest thing you’ve ever heard?” Daniel laughed. “You’re weird,” he told me, and then sorta looked me over. “You look nice today. Or do you always look this nice, and I just forgot?” I pouted. “You probably forgot all about me Daniel! After all, a week away on the romantic beaches of California, staring mecidiyeköy escort at the girls in string bikinis…” I trailed off in despair. “Now you forget that I went with my parents. I would much rather have gone with you,” he said with a slight smile. “But before I forget, here’s a little something.” Daniel took out from his pocket something metal and shiny. It was a tiny, bling pin with the words “Ocean Girl” written across a star. I loved silly little things like that and Daniel knew it. He presented it to me. “Oh my god that’s so cute. For me?” “No, for the pretty girl with the red top” and he unexpectedly took my arm and pulled me closer to him. He steadily fastened the pin onto my shirt, reaching without embarrassment into the side of my V-neck top, his fingers so close to my breasts. So warm against my skin and his face inches from mine, his lips reachable if only… I felt my heart pound and I lingered, not wanting to pull away. It had been a while since I felt the warmth of a man near me, in fact 2 years since I broke up with my ex in my senior year of high school. Mere seconds after that I backed away, not wanting my actions to imply anything more than slight initial shock, but just be enough to stir the hidden thoughts in a boy’s mind. I focused on the pin. It looked like real silver. “I hope this wasn’t expensive, it’s not silver is it? Plated silver maybe…” Daniel smiled at me, “Yes it’s real silver” My heart skipped a beat with pleasure that he would pay so much attention to me, I felt a bit annoyed by how I was being so affected by him when today I was going to seduce him! I should gather myself, I thought, and I quickly caught sight of a potential needy customer in the souvenirs section. “Gotta go!” I departed. 10 am and I hadn’t ventured back to Daniel’s counter. I had been watching him like a vulture though, saw some teen girl looking at him twice and swept down upon her to drag her away to the Arizona postcards on the far side of the bookstore. Then ten minutes later George the Boys’ pack leader appeared, late as usual, to charm the female customers with his quick easy smile. I relaxed a bit then, I had more reason to go and chat when they were both at the counter.