The Invitation
Brian put the money in the register and slammed it closed. It was another dull day in the tiny tobacco shop. This was so not what he wanted for his life. He’d gone to college and studied for four long years to get his degree in film, only to find that it would open no doors for him here in Hollywood. It was all about who you knew or who your daddy was. Four years and thousands in debt—and for what? To work full-time in this little tobacco shop day after day, making his homemade movies on the weekends and hoping for a break. Pathetic.
He ran his hand through his hair. It was one of those days when his curly brown hair refused to cooperate. Luckily for Brian, his unruly hair looked casually hot. Well, at least that was what he’d convinced himself.
“Brian, don’t forget to put out the new cigarettes. Several people complained about having to wait while we searched for their brand,” Mr. Reynolds called out from the back of the shop.
It was technically Jeff’s job, but the lazy shit never did anything. All the grunt work fell on Brian’s shoulders because he was reliable. What a horrible thing to be. Being labeled as ‘the reliable one’ meant that he was stuck doing everyone else’s job. Brian didn’t hold it against his boss, Mr. Reynolds, though. The old man wasn’t responsible for hiring the staff. The owner did that, and he mainly hired people within his family (which Brian was not). To his credit, Mr. Reynolds gave him a satisfactory raise every time his evaluation came up. Still, he always got stuck taking up the slack. It sucked.
Brian bent down and began opening the boxes to shelve the cigarettes. The sound of a man clearing his throat caused Brian to look up.
He was startled to see a strikingly handsome couple standing before him. The woman had long, red hair and the most tight-fitting leather outfit Brian had ever seen. Somehow, the lady didn’t look cheap in the hot little outfit. No, this woman oozed confidence and sex appeal. Very classy.
The man, however, unsettled Brian.
The gentlemen’s intense gaze seemed to go right through him. He was tall and striking, with short, brown hair and chiseled facial features. However, it was those eyes that commanded Brian’s attention.
“Could I have a pack of Treasurer Cigarettes?”
Brian smiled apologetically. He knew they were some of the most expensive cigarettes made. “I’m sorry. We don’t carry those here.” The cigarettes were almost forty bucks a pack and the little tobacco shop did not serve that type of clientele.
The man looked around and nodded. “Satisfy my curiosity and tell me what brand is in the box over there.”
He pointed to a box just out of his reach. Brian bent down and opened it up. He chuckled when he saw what was inside. “Sorry, mister, these are just Marlboro Lights.” He stood up and turned to face the gentleman.
Brian caught the stranger staring at his butt. It was embarrassing and uncomfortable. Well, somewhat uncomfortable. Well, it was kind of cool the guy thought he was sexy…but that wasn’t the way Brian rolled.
The man raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly, giving Brian an odd thrill.
“Do you have any Fantasia Cigarettes?” the stunning redhead asked.
Brian grinned at her. “Now those we do carry.” He reached up to get a pack off the top shelf and handed it to the woman. “Is that all?”
“Do you like it here?” the man asked in a low, charming voice.
Why was he asking?
“Not exactly,” Brian answered, but his heart started racing at the thought that this might be his lucky break. The gentleman could be some big-time producer who wanted to give this little tobacco shopkeeper a chance.
“I’m not surprised. You don’t look as if you belong here.” The man put a hundred-dollar bill on the counter.
“I’m sorry; I don’t have change for that.”
He shrugged. “No matter. I don’t need the change.”
The gentleman lightly stroked the length of his
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