Scott's Shift

Beauty Within

"What do you mean by that?" Gracie tilts her head as she takes the bowl of popcorn into the living room and sprawls across half of the couch.

"Well, what I mean is the way your work pants hug your curves. Or Scott's tall build, the crook in his nose and his deep surround-sound voice. Things I wouldn't normally notice in other people.

Up until I started working at Sammy's, things I didn't care to notice about other people.

Your shirt the other day at the bank." I gesture to her as if the list were longer than that handful of examples.

"That makes sense. Scott does have that 'tall, dark, and brooding' thing going for him. And I do have a rather form-fitting wardrobe. I guess moving here was less of a culture-shock and more of an awakening for you." She smirks.

"Awakening?" I return her quizzical eyebrow.

"Nevermind. I'm just saying I understand. Speaking of work," she uses her fingers to fake a gag, "have you thought about doing any day shifts at Sammy's? Gavin's morning crew couldn't be more polar opposite to ours if they tried." Gracie flipped through movies on the television.

"Actually, he has me training with Madison on Wednesday. That's the only weekday morning I am available because of classes.

Besides, I told him that I am never missing another Friday night." I laugh as Gracie puts on a black and white French romance.

"So a love of French movies, an Australian ex-girlfriend, yet a small British-colonial style home down to the columns out front with the big oak trees. Truly a unique blend of worldly clichés."

Gracie mutes the commercial as she explains, "I have seen the world and have found that there is something to love in every part of it. There is a beauty within everyone and everything, given time and perspective."

"Speaking of 'beauty within," I nudge her arm, "why are the men we work with so grizzly?"

"What do you mean 'grizzly?" Gracie laughs so hard that her drink bubbles from her nose.

"Well, there's Chef for one. I mean the man literally looks like a bear. He is stocky and broad. And he grumbles everything.

Gavin has this off-putting glower of doom and inner conflict, which is intense. But he has this puppy-dog, ruggedly-lovable, outdoorsy exterior.

Then there's Scott," Gracie's eyes flash for a moment when I say his name.

"Scott has this obvious emotional barrier that he's pushing off on all of us.

But then again, as you said, 'tall, dark, and brooding." I sigh.

"You really think of Gavin as a loveable, puppy-dog type?" She bats her eyelashes at me while snickering.

"Yeah, he just reminds me of a big teddy bear. On the outside, at least. I haven't really had the chance to find out what he is really like."

I checked my phone and as soon as I picked it up, my screen lit up and the vibration of the muted notification buzzed.

Scott: I need you to work tonight.

"Oh, great." I thought to myself as the phone vibrated again.

Gavin: Can you cover a late lunch shift today?

Nauseous butterflies filled my stomach as I looked at Gracie.

"It's like they knew we were talking about them."

"What do you mean?"

"Both Gavin and Scott just messaged me asking if I could come in today. If I'm going to make it on time for Gavin, I have to leave right now."

"Well, good luck with the two of them," Gracie laughed at me.

Evie: On my way.

I smiled when the text message appeared as "delivered" to both Scott and Gavin.

As I reversed the Fastback out of Gracie's driveway, I thought about how coincidental it was that her eyes flashed when I mentioned Scott. And how they both texted me to come to them right as Gracie and I were talking about them.

I eased into the parking lot of Sammy's, put the Fastback in park, and pulled out my phone one more time.

Evie: I don't know about luck, but here's to a long shift!

Gracie: Tonight will be a game-changer if you make it through the night. I promise!

"Well what does she mean by that?" I think to myself as I put my hair into a messy bun and step out of the Fastback.

"Evie! Just the person we were hoping to find. Can you come with us to the office, please?" Gavin asks me. Scott was standing just behind him, but still within earshot of the conversation.

"It's nothing to worry about." Scott reassures a very anxious me as I follow them into the restaurant.

The lowered sunlight settling along the treeline behind the building gave off the perfect ambiance. It played softly against Gavin's stubble-covered jaw and tousled hair, yet it accentuated Scott's hard features in just the right way.

Gavin closed the office door behind me as Scott took a seat behind their shared desk.

"Let's begin." Scott smirked, his top teeth catching his lip in an inviting, flirtatious bite.