Revised 11.6.18

Finding a new job was alot harder than I thought it would be. I've been calling all around town and have narrowed it down to a local antique bookstore.

The owner recently lost the only employee she had. She is 60 years young and is in need of an assistant. Someone who care take care of costumers, stock the shelves, sign for packages and more assistant type duties.

It doesn't pay much but it will pay the bills. I'm actually kind of excited about it. I love reading and the owner sounds like a sweetie. So, I decided to go in and fill out an application.

I look at my outfit one last time in the mirror. Tugging on blue ankle length skirt and straightening my white blouse with lace sleeves; I decide I feel appropriate for a first meet with the boss.

Adding some white ballet slippers to finish off my outfit. I walk into my bathroom to finish my makeup and pull up half of my hair, pulling the front out of my face while letting the rest of it hang loose.

Before heading out, I decide to take Mia out for a walk. As we walk down the sidewalk, Mia gets a couple of ooo's and aaah's from neighbors as we pass them. Some stop and ask to pet her. A little girl walks up with her mother close behind. A loud squeak leaves her mouth as she throws herself on Mia. "She is so cute. Mommy I want a doggie like this one." She stated, pointing out way and promoting a conversation between her mother and I. I wave goodbye to them afterwards and continue on my brisk walk through the neighborhood.

After a good 30 minute walk, we head back towards my apartment building. As we get closer, Mia takes off running, catching me off guard. She yanks the lease clean off my wrist!!

"Mia! Mia!" I yell as I run after her. "Where are you going?!" This is so strange. She never has run off. I think to myself as I finally catch up to her. "Oh, my gosh. You scared me to death, girl." I grab hold of her leash again and that's when I hear a deep chuckle above me. I look up to see Jacob standing right in front of Mia.

She ran to him! She must of recognized his scent from last time and she ran to him. "Uh, um.... I'm sorry Jacob. She, uh, doesn't usually run up to people like this. It's new to me." I tell him. A nervous laugh escaping my mouth.

He laughs again and extends his hand to help me from the ground. "No problem. We are best friends, Mia and I. She can run up to me anytime." I barely heard anything this man said because all I can focus on are the sparks emanating from his hand. I'm just standing here looking like a complete idiot as he removes his hand from mine.

That was weird.

"Are you ok, Samanatha?" He asks.

"Uh, yes. Why do you ask?"

"Your face. It looks like you may be feeling sick or something." He tells me as he scrunches up his face to mimic my own.

"Yes, I am fine. I just remembered that I'm late. I have to get going." I turn towards my apartment building to drop off Mia.

"Do you need a ride? I can bring you wherever you need to go." Jacob asks.

"No. You don't have to do that." I tell him not even giving him a second thought.

"I know I don't have to but I want to. I was dropping by to ask you out for lunch, anyways. If you are not busy today."

I lock my front door after letting Mia inside. "Uh..." I don't know why but he makes me nervous. I'm trying hard not to look like a complete dunce but it's not working out so well.

Jacob, of course, finds my lack of ability to speak, funny which in turn just makes me blush. "Let me help out a little. Nod your head, if your answer is yes."

I simply nod my head. "Okay, follow me." He says as he holds his hand out waiting for me to grab hold. And I do.

He's wearing a blue cotton long sleeve shirt, pushed up to his elbows. Dark blue jeans and a pair of grey boots. To top it all off his hair is pulled back in a man bun with a dark blue beanie.

I followed him outside to where his vehicle is parked. "This is your car?" I ask.

"Yea, why?" He looks at me with one eyebrow raised and a smile.

"Uh, I dunno. I just thought you were more of a sports car kind of guy." I walk towards the passenger side of his all black convertible jeep. Before I can reach for the door, a tanned hand reaches out to open the door for me.

I pause to look at him and he's just smiling back at me. "Thank you so much."

"You're very welcome." Once he gets into the car and puts the car in reverse, he asks," So where are we off to?

"Just head dowtown, there's a bookstore that I have a job interview with the owner." I look out the window and enjoy the beautiful day it turned out to be. Fall and winter are my favorite seasons. Being the beginning of fall, there's still lots of green around but the weather has cooled down a bit.

"So, Are you nervous about the interview?" Jacob asks.

"Maybe a little but I already spoke to the owner and she sounds sweet. She's looking for an assistant to help her because she's unable to handle everything on her own anymore.
Plus, I love books, so I thought it was a good fit for me. I used to have a boss who gossiped all the time and when she trained me, all she'd do is badmouth employees after she introduced me to them. And she always looked like she had a lemon in her mouth. A puckered squished up face all the time. I need a positive work environment, I didn't even last 3 months at that job." I look at Jacob and he has a huge ear to ear grin.

I laugh at my own rambling moment. "Sorry.....kind of went off there."

"No. No. Don't ever be sorry for being yourself. I'm loving every minute of it."

"Thank you. That reminds me.....why did you want to go out with me? You barely know me?" I pause and wait for him to answer.

"To tell you the truth. I can't describe it, all I know is how I feel when I'm with you. I feel like I've been living in a black and white world and the moment you came into my life everything turned to color. I see everything clearly. I have never felt this way about anyone. I feel alive and it's because of you. I have a reason for being. It feels like I was made for you. If that makes sense." He says it sweetly and matter of factly. No doubts. No fear behind his beautiful eyes and admiration grows inside me for his honesty.

"Wow!" I simply say in barely. A whisper.

"Yes! Wow is right, Meu amor."

"What does that mean?" I ask but he says he will tell me later when the time is right.

We pull up to the Rosewater Bookstore and I turn back around to ask Jacob if he's coming inside with me. But he's already out of the car and heading around to open my door.

"Thank you." He holds out his hand, waiting for me to help me as I exit the car. As I pull my hand away, he pulls my hand back and interlocks our fingers. Our fingers fit perfectly together. The sparks are there again, I beginning to wonder if I'm the only one who feels it.

We walk in and see a petite elderly lady sitting at a counter. As we walk up I'm the first to speak up, "Excuse me? Good afternoon, I'm looking for Mrs. Martinez."

She looks up at me while pushing her glasses back up her nose. "Oh, dear.....please call me Sofi. Mrs. Martinez is way too formal for me darling. Are you the young lady I spoke with this morning?"

"Yes ma'am. I am. I was wondering if I could ahead and apply for the assistant position."

"Oh there you go being all formal with me. Sofi, will do, darling. And I have the paperwork right here. So, can you tell me a little about yourself?" She asks as she hands me an application.

"As you know, my name is Samantha Blake. I'm 26 years old. I graduated from the university with a minor in Art and Graphic Design. My last job let me go due to budget cuts and closed down my whole department. I love reading and will work with excellence in anything you task me to do." I'm not sure if she wanted to hear something specific. I'm hoping that if I haven't said it she will ask.

"And who is this handsome young man?" She asks batting her lashes at Jacob.

"This is Jacob Midnight. He is---"

Before I can finish, Jake interrupts me and says "her boyfriend.... It is a pleasure to meet you, Sofi." He says in a friendly manner giving Sofi his best smile.

"Oh, my boy. I'm sure you're a magnet for the ladies." She jokes.

"Nope. Just for Samantha." He says as he put his arm around my waist and pulls me closer to him.

Feeling slightly embarrased, I pull away and ask Sofi for a pen to fill out the paperwork. I think she notices but instead of mentioning she moves on. "Samantha dear, when can you start?"

"Uh, I can start today if you need me to." I respond.

"No need to start today. We close the store at 5pm everyday and closed on the weekends. Since it's already thursday, can you start on Monday? Bright and early at 9am?" She asks coming around the counter.

"Oh, yes I can. So, the job is mine?" I just want to ask to make sure.

She looks at me with that "duh" look and says, "Yes, darling. You can fill out the rest of the paperwork on Monday. I will give you a tour of place and your duties when you start. Now go enjoy your weekend."

I'm so excited I didn't realize I had tears in my eyes. Sofi sees it and open up her arms for a hug. And I accept it. "Thank you so much. You won't regret it, I promise."

"I know, darling. I have this feeling about people. Now go already so I can get home to my handsome hubby who's waiting for me."

"Okay. Okay, thank you again. See you Monday."

Jacob pulls me out the door and into his arms. He gives me a little squeeze and then suggests we go to a little cafe just down the street.

We talked all through lunch and I felt myself loosen more and more with Jake. I really enjoyed spending time with him. He so careful around me and so tentative. He is always paying attention to me even when I feel like I'm boring him to death, he just continues to look at me with the same look of love and admiration. It's only been one date but I already feel so much for him.

When I return to my house, I begin to think back on both of my dates. Tim and Jacob are so different. I feel myself easily connecting with Timmy but it's just because we've know each other for so long. He's familiar to me.
But with Jacob, I feel different. I feel a rush when I am around him.

My body reacts to him and my heart feels as if it will pump right out of my chest when he's around me. That just makes all the more nervous when I'm around him but I don't feel like I'm forcing my feelings with him.

I guess I'll just have to let my heart guide me. I don't want to hurt anyone though.

What would you do in my situation?

I hear Florida is nice this time of year. Maybe I'll take an early vacation.