THIRTEEN

VERA

Alex glanced at Martha and smiled.

"Oh, she was all over me this morning, but I've already figured her out for that kind, so no chance of that ever happening,"

Beth chuckled, but Martha merely pouted.

"Okay guys," Beth said. "We better get to work before the manager comes out here and sees us talking and laughing,"

"I wouldn't survive that," Martha whispered in mock horror, rushing behind her counter. Right on cue, the door opened and a customer walked in. Beth went off to attend to the customer. And I was left standing with Alex.

He was looking at me expectantly, but the truth was that I was kinda lost. What the hell did the manager mean by showing him the ropes?

"Um…" I wracked my head. "Okay…I guess we better start by showing you where everything is so you know to pick them out for a customer who doesn't,"

The idea lit up in my head like a lightbulb, and I knew the instant I said it that it was the right thing to do at that moment. We walked t