Jules
“Well, it’s now or never.” I was sitting in my car in the parking for the produce stand. Olly was holding a box and carefully unloading vine-ripened tomatoes.
As I placed my hand on the door to open it, several tomatoes fell from the stack he was working on. I could see his mouth moving and all the curse words escaping his lips.
A tomato rolled a few feet from the front of my car. It was a sign to get out and talk to the man.
“I think this belongs to you.” I was standing directly behind him, holding the tomato in my hand.
“What?” He carefully set the box on the ground and turned around. “Jules. Hi.” He let out a heavy sigh. “Thanks.” He grabbed the fruit from my outstretched hand. “This is the third time I’ve tried to restock the tomatoes.”
“Here, let me help.” I reached down and grabbed a few from the box. “They’re gorgeous.” I held one in my hand. “I love this time of the year.”
“Except when they keep falling on the ground.”
“Right, yeah, then we need to just pick out some bell peppers and call it a day.” I grabbed more tomatoes from the box and continued stacking them on the display.
He laughed and bent down right when I did. Our heads were knocked together, and we both yelped and threw our hands to our heads. “Are you okay?” He was rubbing his head.
“Good. You?” I closed my eyes and lightly shook my head.
“I’m sorry.” He pointed at the box. “I’m going to bend down again and grab some.” You could tell Olly strategically placed each tomato to prevent them from falling for the millionth time. “Can I help you with finding anything?” The place wasn’t huge, but I knew he also stored items in the walk-in cooler.
“Well…” I grabbed a tomato and moved it around in my hand.
He placed a tomato back in the box and turned to face me. “You okay.” He stepped around the box and was now only inches away from me.
“I guess. Maybe.” I placed the tomato I was holding onto the stack. “I don’t know. I…”
“J…” I knew he was about to say my name, but then the same tomato I had just put on top of the pile started to roll down and attempted to fall onto the ground. Olly reached out his hand to grab it. “I’m done fighting with them today.” He threw the tomato into the box and picked up the box. “Follow me.” He nodded at the little building sitting next to the walk-in cooler.
“Whoa.” I stepped into space and was surprised to see so much fresh produce. “Will you go through all of this today?” It was a small building with shelves on each wall and boxes on every shelf.
“We start running low on stock by the end of the day.” He slid the box he was holding on a shelf. “There’s a new shipment every morning.”
“Do you have a lot of waste?” It was peak growing season, but I had no idea how much produce they were moving daily.
“Some, but not much. We have several people from surrounding cities that shop here, too.” He ran his hands through his hair.
“That’s impressive.” I could feel my body react when his hands were in his hair. Why did I get out of my car? I wanted to turn back time, and instead of parking the car, I should’ve kept driving by.
“Jules.” He placed his hand on my forearm. I felt a jolt of electricity run up my arm. The contact made me jump. “Shit. I’m sorry.” He pulled his hand back.
“No, I should be the one who’s sorry.” I reached out to touch his arm but stopped a few inches away and pulled my hand back. “I need to go.” I quickly walked out of the building.
“Jules. Wait.” He was fast on my heels.
“It was good to see you again, Olly.” I pulled out my key fab, and the doors clicked to unlock. “I forgot about an appointment, and I’m running late.” I slid behind the wheel and started to close the door.
“Jules. Wait.” He placed his hand on the top of the door and stopped it from closing.
My body stilled.
His voice was so soft and kind.
I dropped my hands into my lap. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” He squatted down beside me.
“I…” I looked over, and our eyes met.
“Right.” He placed his hand on my forearm. “It’s okay.” Then he stood and took a step back. “I’m glad you stopped by.” He smiled and nodded before turning to walk away.
I wanted him next to me.
His hand on my arm again.
His touch made me feel something I had not felt in a long time.
AUTHOR NOTE:
Well, there was no way it would be easy after all she had been through. Should she stop at the produce stand again, or will he visit the local market to see her?