-Friday-

Tyler awoke early. Extremely early. His heart pounding, he realized today was the day he got to see her again.

'Why am I so excited?' He asked himself. 'It's just Zoey.' Checking his phone, he had a message.

[New Text Message]
6:01 A.M.
From: Zoey

Hey. Are you awake?

He checked his own clock. 6:07 A.M.; looks like she awoke early as well.

[Text Message Sent]
6:08 A.M.
To: Zoey

Yeah lol. I just woke up actually.

[New Text Message]
6:09 A.M.
From: Zoey

Yeah i couldnt sleep much last night. idk if I'm nervous or excited. lol

[Text Message Sent]
6:10 A.M.
To: Zoey

My heart was racing when I woke up. I dunno either if its nerves or excitement. Why are we so nervous about this lol?

[New Text Message]
6:11 A.M.
From: Zoey

idk. i need to talk to you about some dirty laundry i have to air out. i did Tom kinda wrong and I feel really bad.

[Text Message Sent]
6:11 A.M.
To: Zoey

You're telling me. Want to call?

[New Text Message]
6:15 A.M.
From: Zoey

Nah id better not. but lets get work done super early today. are we done codifying the books?

[Text Message Sent]
6:16 A.M.
To: Zoey

Wrapped up the rest yesterday. Made it in a rush so all we have to do today is make the store look nice and watch the register.

[New Text Message]
6:17 A.M.
From: Zoey

ok good. i really think the guilt is getting to me and i need to vent again.

[Text Message Sent]
6:20 A.M.
To: Zoey

No problem. I should probably confess what I did to get today open too lol...see you at 9.

[New Text Message]
6:21 A.M.
From: Zoey

Love you :*

[Text Message Sent]
6:22 A.M.
To: Zoey

:*

Tyler arrived late, as per usual. Luckily, Friday was only brisk and not bitterly cold like the previous days. He parked his car and made his way to the front. Opening the door, he nearly had a heart attack. "You're here late. I'm afraid I'm going to have to tell Ethan to dock your pay for the day." Zoey said with a wink.

Zoey was attractive to Tyler, sure. But today she was drop dead gorgeous. The snarky girl he once knew who wore an oversized sweatshirt and sneakers to work now had her hair braided, tight and proper, with square framed glasses he never knew she wore. She was wearing a white collared dress shirt with a small golden chain tucked underneath the collar. Over top of the dress shirt, she wore a very tight black sweater, showing off the curves of her upper half. She had rolled the sleeves up and was showing the white rolled up cuff of her dress shirt. On her lower half she wore a semi-short (just above the knee) flared black skirt, flats, and a pair of tights.

She raised her eyebrow expectantly at him. "Um. Hello?" She waved at him. He couldn't help but follow her lips, now a shade of red that seemed to make her even more intimidating. She laughed nervously. "Erm...does it...look bad?"

He stormed over to her and pushed her against the wall of the bookstore. She let out a squeal in surprise.

"Holy shit." Was all he could manage before pressing his lips right onto hers.

"Tyler you jackass I have lipstick on! You're going to smear it!" She pushed him off of her.

He laughed a little. "Sorry."

"Yeah you jerk. Now everyone's going to know you kissed me, too, because you look like bozo the clown with my smear on you."

"What if I want the bookstore people to know?"

She hesitated.

"They don't know our lives. For all they know, we're a couple. They don't know a thing..." He kissed her gingerly this time. "Better?"

"Better."

He stepped back and gave her a once-over. Then again. Then for a third time.

"Take a picture, creep. It'll last longer."

"I might take you up on that offer."

"So I take it that you like it?"

"Like it? Zoey, you're fucking hot. I mean--like, more than usual."

She blushed. "Thanks. I didn't really wanna do too much makeup, but I at least did my lips. It's not too much, is it?"

He pulled in closer to kiss her again. "I cannot keep myself off of you."

She put her arms around his back and scoffed. "What's new?"

"Zoe..."

"A-and, um," She grabbed one of his hands and guided him underneath her skirt. Feeling her crotch, he felt the fabric of the leggings...and heat. "No panties."

His heart nearly stopped.

She let him go, but he lingered for a bit before stepping away. "I don't understand why I deserve you." He came right back and kissed her again, then again. "I want to close up right now. Fuck waiting. I...this..."

She let out a little chuckle. "I thought you might like it. I know how much you like the classics, so..." she did a twirl. "classic." She winked.

"Where did you get the glasses?"

"I wear contacts usually. But, you know. I thought this went nice with the outfit."

"I need to take a walk. I need to calm down."

"Not before you fix that smudge on your lips." She licked her finger and began to wipe. He took her finger and sucked on it.

"Oh my lord, Tyler! Come on." She blushed. "Does this really get you going that badly?"

"You really have to ask that? When is our first break?"

"Umm...I think we're supposed to take one at eleven."

"I'll show you how bad it gets me at eleven."

She couldn't stop from smiling.