Jackson had come tearing out of the store just as she had composed herself and marched right up to her window.
He rapped a knuckle on the glass. Shelby pressed the lever to slide the window down and he practically shoved his head into the car.
“Uh…so, hi." He smiled, chuckling a little. "I know you know my name, but I don't know yours. Can I? Know your name?"
"Shelby….uhm….Morris." She stuck a hand out. He reached through the window and shook it, giving her a squeeze before he let go. The calluses on the tips of his fingers made her wonder what they'd feel like on her skin. "Nice to meet you."
"Yeah, you too. So, I was thinking..." He hesitated, blinking rapidly, licking his lips. "Maybe you'd want to do a little shopping later?"
Shelby blinked. "Shopping?"
He laughed, propping his elbow in the window. "It was a joke. About how we keep seeing each other at the grocery store."
"Oh. Because honestly? I just bought a ton of shit I don't need."
He pushed out a short burst of laughter. "Honestly, I was about to do the same. So..." Jackson stared, like he was expecting an answer.
"Oh...were you serious about shopping?"
"No… shit. I wondered if you were free later on. If not, maybe we could meet up another time..."
"Uhm… I'm free."
"Cool. Uh. I'm working with Rod Phillips Band– you know him?" She nodded, amused at the thought that anyone who knew him wouldn’t know even-more-famous Rod Phillips. "We're working today so, I don't exactly know what time I'll be available. Sometimes I get caught up in writing or organizing, since I have paper everywhere and four different notebooks that I keep for music but uhm..."
He scratched his temple as his voice trailed off. Then he regrouped. "Well, anyway. How can I reach you?"
Shelby smirked. "They have these things called cell phones. They're pretty handy. You can call me on mine. From yours."
He laughed, thank God. Kind of hard, with his eyes closed. "I guess I deserved that. Could I get that number from you?"
She dug into her purse for a pen and a piece of paper, scribbled her name and number onto the back of the moving company's business card and handed it to him. He stared at it for a few seconds and then slid it into the front pocket of his jeans.
"Thanks. So. I'll give you a call."
"Sounds good. Looking forward to it."
"Me too." Jackson stepped back and shoved his hands in his pockets again, moving to the sidewalk outside the store entrance. Shelby pulled out of the spot, waiving as she drove past him. He waved back. And in her rear view mirror, as she turned onto the side street that ran alongside the store, he was still standing in the same spot, watching her tail lights retreat.
What should I wear? I wonder where we'll go. What should I wear? I wonder what time he'll call. What should I wear?!
Damn. It was going to be a long day.