Early Bird Special (3 page)

"I agree with your brother."

My mom didn't agree with Teddy on anything, and
this
she chose to side with him on. I didn't need them butting in on my love(less) life. So what if at almost thirty-one I had yet to maintain a long relationship. People (my parents) didn't get on Teddy's case. Yeah, okay, he dated a girl for about four months one time, but he lived in my parents' basement with no future love prospects after that short romance fell apart. I didn't see anyone up in his business about meeting someone. At least I kept a full-time job making decent money and people in the community knew my name, and for a positive reason. It took me years to build up my reputation as Francie A. Spiller, The Planning Princess, and maybe a relationship would just get in the way of my very important job.

"Come on, guys. Leave me alone. It's Thanksgiving. Let me be thankful I only have to worry about buying presents for this little crowd of people here, and my arguments can be kept at a minimum." Not dating anyone
did
present its benefits. I need only be concerned about myself, and was free to move about however I pleased.

"What's all the commotion in here?" My dad hiked up his jeans as he entered the room. "I'm trying to take a nap."

"Dear, you're always napping." My mom loved to tease him about how much he slept. I swore sometimes my dad forgot his age and thought he was still a teenager. He never wanted to roll out of bed until mid-morning on the weekend, and by that time, my mom cleaned the entire house, did her grocery shopping, and read half a book. Thanksgiving morning seemed to be the only day he forced himself up early anymore on a day off, and probably because he could come home and nap all afternoon.

My dad sat at the table with me while my mom prepared a plate for him. The fact she did all that for him might be sweet, but I wondered if my dad even knew how to make his own sandwich. Did he even know where to find the knives? Plates? He relied on my mom so much. Was making lunch for him every day of his life part of their wedding vows?

"We're talking about how Francie doesn't have a boyfriend," my brother filled him in.

"Nor should she. She's one of those independent women I hear so much about these days."

"What do you mean, Dad?" My dad always was proud of my career path, and as my dad, I was sure he didn't want to rush marrying me off, but did that mean I should be exempt from love forever?

He cleared his throat. "You know, the women who focus on their careers and could care less about getting married. You don't need that, Francie. You've got yourself."

My family ate their turkey sandwiches, and my father's words began to sink in. Is this what people thought of me? Yeah, I spent a lot of time on my job. I
loved
my job. I helped people create an event for themselves or their loved ones they would never forget. When the fifty-year old woman jumped in surprise of her birthday party and her face glowed, it brought me joy. The time I assisted in a retirement party and the man's daughter he hadn't spoken with in
years
showed up, the excitement and appreciation spilled into my heart. And when the most gorgeous bride in the world entered the church, and her groom saw her for the first time in her flowing, white gown, and he didn't give a damn who witnessed him cry, I cried too. Would anyone ever cry for me at my wedding? Did everyone expect me to be alone?

"Okay, everyone, now's my favorite part of the day. What is everyone thankful for?" My brother and dad groaned as my mom tossed her hands up in the air in anticipation of everyone's responses. "I'll start. I'm thankful we got to spend the morning together and got away with a few good items." She looked at my dad. "You're next."

He dropped his head as he tried to think of a response. "I'm thankful for the nap I'll take later."

"Eugene! Dig a little deeper than that." My mom clearly didn't like his answer.

"Nope. That's what I'm thankful for. Teddy - your turn."

Teddy bit into his sandwich and took his time chewing. We all pressed him to get moving. We all hated this part, so the fact he wanted to draw it out irritated both me and my dad. "I'm thankful that ..."

"Come on, Teddy! Spit it out!" I prepared to bolt out of there. I didn't need this crap. I was ready to move on with my day. Who was I kidding? My day consisted of me, myself and I.

A smile spread on his face. "I'm thankful I sold my video game!" The pitch in his voice became a squeal.

"You what?" My chair squeaked as I shoved it back and jumped off. "When? How? Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

He accepted hugs from everyone, except a handshake from Dad. "Two days ago. I've been waiting until now to tell you."

Teddy worked for this moment for years. My brother, the one everyone thought buried himself in his computer with no future, sold something he worked so hard on. We didn't always get along, but that didn't make me any less proud.

"Does this mean you'll be getting a place of your own, son?" My dad didn't know how to be discreet.

"Yes, I'll be moving out as soon as I get the check."

I couldn't tell if my dad was more proud of Teddy for his accomplishment or that he finally planned on moving out. Deny it all he wanted, I saw a tear in his eye.

"Now you, Francie."

I couldn't top his news. According to my dad, I was this successful career woman. What could I be thankful for besides my job? I loved how I reached my goals, and my success came so easily to me. Every year we did this, I almost verbatim stated my thankfulness for my family and my career. Blah, blah, blah. My career was a big part of my life, and that was great, but what about the rest of me? The part of me that craved someone to share my life with? I locked that part away when I became so focused on a fulfilling career. I pushed my love life aside for the paycheck. Being part of a couple didn't take away my success. I could share my success with someone.

"Francie!" My mom tried to get my attention.

My mind wandered back to the store and Shane. What if my mom and Teddy were right? Maybe this guy did want to go out on a date. Perhaps the time came for me to forget about my last crappy date and go out on another one. But, what if I read him wrong? What if he
wasn't
hitting on me? He worked there - it was his job to be nice to the customers. But, I couldn't help but wonder if behind Shane's jokes and weird behavior, a nice, decent guy stood, and
I
would be the crazy one to bypass the chance? I wasn't thinking marriage here - just a date.

"Francie, honey, come on now." My dad urged me.

This hear, I needed a
new
answer, and I had the perfect one. "I ... I'm thankful for my family pointing out I'm too focused on my career, and reminding me I want someone to make sandwiches for the rest of my life."

I probably confused them, but I didn't care. I excused myself, put on my jacket, and headed for the store.

CHAPTER FIVE

Now that I stood in front of the entrance to the store, I doubted my decision to come. What was I even doing here? I didn't construct a plan, and I had no idea what to say. "Hi, I'm Francie, I haven't been on a real date in years, care to take me out?" I'm sure Shane wouldn't say yes to a bumbling idiot like me. I was Francie A. Spiller, dammit. I ran entire parties, and coordinated events for hundreds of people. There shouldn't be any reason for me not to be able to do this. Really, I couldn't even ask this guy a simple question? Why did my confidence fly out the window the moment my love life got involved?

Okay, the short plan consisted of me going in, finding him, and just feeling him out. Considering it was one of the biggest shopping days of the year, chances were he couldn't even talk to me. As assistant manager, he probably ran around all day putting out fires - angry customers, knocked-over displays, and employees who didn't know how to handle the chaotic day. Actually, now that I thought about it, his day closely mirrored the craziness of my work days. I inhaled the frigid air, a cloud of fog forming in front of my face.
You can do this, Francie
.

Once the automatic door opened, I stepped through, breathed through my nose, and let out a huge sigh. I couldn't believe I actually was doing this.

What a difference a few hours makes. Not too long ago, I could barely walk through the main area - of course, I caused most of the hold up - and now the area widened, free of the hustle and bustle of customers. All carts still vacant from their designated area, though, and the checkout lines boasted at least ten to fifteen customers deep each.

The store appeared less chaotic than earlier. I supposed most headed home by now to eat their turkey dinners. Glancing around, I scoped out the best place to start searching for Shane. I squinted my eyes to see through the spaces in the groups of people, not picking him out from the crowd. Any possibility of finding him required me to choose a starting point, so I headed toward the back corner of the store and figured I would work my way back to the front.

The corner of the store housed all the Christmas decorations, from trees and ornaments, to over-sized stockings and those huge Mickey Mouse snow globes people put in their front yards. Christmas decor came out earlier and earlier these days, this year already starting in October. I slowed my pace as I passed every decorated tree, from the one covered in purples and pinks from the top to the bottom, to the fake Douglas Fir filled with ornaments from every old time movie imaginable. The needles poked me gently as I grazed my hand down the branch.

"Careful."

A needle jabbed my hand as I jumped. I shook my hand to ease the pain, and, as I turned around, Shane stood there. He smiled, and reached out for me. I went to grab his hand, until I realized he only intended to point to my wound.

"Sorry. You okay?"

I pressed my other hand against where the needle pricked me, and the skin began to itch. "Yeah. I'll be fine."

We stared at each other, and I took in his fluttering eyes, dark hair, and imagined his scruff scratching me as he kissed me. When we first met, I didn't realize how cute he was. Of course, when I first met him outside, he was anything short of annoying.

"Can I help you find anything?"

"What?" I shook my head. Find anything? Did I come for something? "Oh!" Is this what people meant when they referred to being love struck? I mean, I wasn't in love, obviously, but my heart sure sped up. "Sorry. No."

"Back so soon, then? Did you forget something?"

Shoot. What the hell was I supposed to say? "Um ...." Right now I wanted to take every pine in that tree and stick myself with it. At least that would be less painful than this.

"Tell you what, Francie, when you think of what it is, come find me. I'll be over in toys."

He started to walk away, but I found myself calling out his name. "Shane!"

Think. Think. Think. He turned around and I blurted, "Got a second to chat?"

"Sure." He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and checked the time. "I'm about due for a break. I really don't want to hang out in the store. I know it's cold, but do you want to head outside?"

I was so nervous I doubted the cold would even bother me. I followed him through the "restricted" double doors, a spark of danger igniting me as we entered the the territory. He led me through a small stocking area to a steel door leading outside. He snatched his jacket from a hook and tossed it on before we went out.

The air wasn't as bitter in the back of the building. The wind moved past us instead of against us, my hair only lightly grazing my face. The building overlooked more buildings, not providing much in the way of scenery. Shane would have to do. I was okay with that.

A bench sat against the the wall, and Shane motioned for me to take a seat. Even through my jeans the bench was freezing. I shoved my hands underneath my butt. "It's sure cold out." I stumbled over the words to begin a conversation, but at least it was a start.

Shane took a seat next to me, so close his knees almost touched mine. "It's only November. If you think this is cold, just wait."

The winter months weren't my favorite. The cold weather wasn't even the culprit. Okay, I wasn't a fan, but the winter months my business slowed down as well. Occasionally someone hired me for a holiday party, but my business boomed in the summer months. Weddings, graduations, people hired me for all their gatherings. My income decreased significantly between October and April. "I hate the winter."

"Really? I love it. I especially enjoy this time of year."

"You like you're working today? I can't believe stores are now opening
on
Thanksgiving."

He crossed his legs. "I don't mind. I don't have anything else going on."

"You don't?" My family and I may spend Thanksgiving (and the day after Thanksgiving) hitting up deals around town, but we still sat down for a meal together at some point in the day. How could he not have
any
plans?

Shane touched his finger to his chin. "I get that reaction a lot. Actually, we celebrate whenever we can. My mom is a nurse and often works the holidays. My dad is a cop, so, same deal. And I'm an only child."

My chance presented itself. "My brother Teddy and me always spend Thanksgiving with my parents. No girlfriend to spend the holiday with?" My throat closed up. Soon, I would probably pass out. Of course then maybe he'd give me mouth to mouth.

Shane rubbed his hands up and down his work pants and let out a small chuckle. "No. No girlfriend." This time he rubbed the scruff on his face. "What about you, Francie? Is there a special man in your life?"

Thank God the frigid air made my cheeks red already because my face flushed at the question. "Too busy. I'm a party planner. Busy, busy, busy."

"Francie, I need to ask. Is that a nickname for Francine or Francesca or something?"

Here we go. People always commented on my name. Over the years, it grew on me, and, in fact, I kind of love it now. But, my parents were crazy. "It's a tad embarrassing."