Uneasily clearing my throat, I bent down and opened the sliding counter door on my side. Reaching in, I soon brought forth the sparkling earrings Brad had pointed out. Standing, I recalled Mr. Garrison's "sell" instructions, but I couldn't force jewelry on Brad, could I?

"You gave your...wife looped earrings for her birthday, Mr. Summers," I said with a tight-lipped, forced-face of happy. I didn't like calling him "Mr. Summers." I no doubt would call him "Brad," if we ever met outside. But the store's policy was to address customers formally.

"That's right," he answered, pointing at me in friendly agreement, eyeing the jewelry I held out for him in the palm of my hand. Then his look shifted to my face and I gasped out a cough.

His brow lifted and light eyes grew with concern. "You okay?"

I nodded as I slapped the palm of my hand to below my neck. Then quickly gained control of the "chocking" disturbance. "Just a dry throat mixed with seeing the price of these, I guess."

I held up the earrings for him to see, as I admired them from my end.

"They...are...expensive," he stated, rubbing his square chin in contemplation, staring at me.

"B-Beautiful, t-too," I stuttered, feeling my heart flutter. Then closed my hand around the earrings and opened it again. This face-to-face showing was making me crazy inside. But why? Brad was a married man.

"Your new hairstyle really complements your face," he said without cause.

Huh?

"Your eyes are quite beautiful, too."

What?!

"Just my observations that I think you should know," he continued.

I gulped.

"Oh...thank you," I managed through an uncertain tither, his words catching me completely off guard. Then, with nervous action, I bent down and put the earrings back into the display counter. "You're...not so bad yourself," I shockingly whispered to myself, closing its sliding door.

***************

Romancers,

I'm having a great time posting this story. Remember, it's YOUR interest in it that's helping the writing process along. Much thanks!

Sooo...is there a romance in Yvonne and Brad's future, or just continued friendship? Let me know in a comment below! "Like" Chapter 3, too, by clicking the voting star! Add "Out of Practice" to your library, so you don't miss an update!! :D