You try to play it cool.

I tried to get myself under control and act normally, hoping the moment would pass. “Is there, uh, anything I can help you with today, miss?” There’s no way she could fail to notice the tremor in my voice. I really didn’t want to lose this job.

The girl’s smile never wavered. “Oh , there just might be,” she replied, “but I think we’ll have to wait for some other time for you to help me out, Mike.” Her voice was sultry, and there was nothing subtle about her delight at flirting. Already off-balance in the conversation, I had no idea what to make of the fact that she knew my name. My confusion must have been obvious, because with a cute giggle she explained, “I’m Su, Mike. I work here too. Isabella told me you’d be starting today.”

A huge sense of relief that I hadn’t just insulted a customer washed over me, but as I tried to think of a witty response to continue the conversation, my usual awkwardness around hot girls got in the way. “Sue, huh? Is that, um, short for Susan or something?” I could have smashed my head against the counter, I was so embarrassed. At least I managed to keep my eyes away from her cleavage this time.

“I’m not short for anything, buddy!” said the girl passionately. Clearly, she had some issues with height jokes. “And it’s Su-without-an-E. That’s the whole name. Although a few lucky guys have told me I’m pretty Su-thing, if you know what I mean.” Her saucy grin and teasing was turning me on, which seemed pretty unfair--I mean, if I ever tried a corny pick-up line like that, I’d be laughed at. How come it worked for girls with big tits?

Su seemed undaunted by my awkward silence, but I was feeling like I had to escape before I embarrassed myself further. “Su, would you mind watching for customers while I look for Isabella? With two of us here now, I’m sure there’s work I can get started on.”

The girl cheerfully agreed, and I hurried to the back room with a sense of relief. But when I ducked around the stacks of books and spare shelving to go deeper into the storage area, I froze, shocked at what I was seeing.