MANDY'S POV

ONE MONTH LATER...

I ran through her fingers through my hair as I leaned on the register talking to my bestie Cris. It was in the middle of the workday, although it wasn't boring since we had each other and a few good-looking colleges. Cris moved her eyes from me to the side and a grin grew on her face. I turned towards the direction Cris was looking to, and I saw him. Alec Steele who's one of the department asset protectors, also my crush.

I turned back to Cris and peered my eyes at her as I bit my lip trying not to become an idiot. "I hate you, so much Cris." Alec stopped in front of us to my dismay.

Cris looked at him, she wasn't a fan of Alec's, but she loved teasing me about him. "What are you ladies doing?" I kept my eyes off him as I looked down towards my phone with my badging assignments.

I took a deep breath as I stayed quiet and tried to gather my thoughts as well as my words. "I'm working on my badging so I can try and get them down before Christmas time." He nodded and peered towards Cris who was looking at me.

He leaned on the bag carousel on my register and looked at Cris. "How about you Cristina?" She shrugged and looked to see no customers. "I know it's a slow day, but you should be dating the products at you're registers or wiping down the belts. If you have badging, like Mandy then you should be doing that." I peered over to him and looked at his right arm that had several tattoos.

They all had several stories behind them, but I sadly don't know them. I know he's getting another I'll have to ask the story behind it, but he won't get that one for another week. His arms are well defined and visible muscular unless he wears his sweatshirts, even then he's still cute. I know he works out often from the looks of his Facebook and Tik Tok accounts that show several videos and pictures of his workouts. I'm sure Alec could pick me up, if he wanted to, but I doubt he'd want to since I'm not a feather like most girls.

Cris rolled her eyes at Alec as she made her way towards the products at the end of her register. "Thank you, Cristina." I gave a quiet laugh, and I peered my eyes over at Alec once more. "Enjoying the job?" I rolled my eyes at the question that had a more than obvious answer.

He turned his attention back to me and met my eyes. I diverted them back to my phone as my mom sent me a text asking me what time I got off. "Always, especially when I'm doing my badging." Alec eyes stayed on me as I ignored the text message.

He cleared his throat, and I peered back towards him. "Okay, fair no one likes working in retail. Are you getting along with the others?"

I nibbled on the inside of my cheek as I thought about the question. Am I getting along with the other cashiers? I mean I have a good relationship with Cris obviously, there's also her mom Elena, there's also Khalessi poor girl, and two others. But are we really getting along or are we just friendly?

I moved a piece of hair out of the way so I can see. "I'm doing alright, I'm friendly with a few of my fellow cashiers but I haven't met all of them." He nodded at my words, his blue eyes sparkling in the light. "How about you? I know you've been here five months longer than I."

Cris started laughing and we turned to face the display of sweet treats where her head peaked at us. "Cristina." Alec warned looking at her seriously. I couldn't excuse my friend's behavior, but I already knew what I'd be in for when we drove home. "Thank you, Cristina." She rolled her eyes; she doesn't respect him, but she loves me, so she went back to dating the products.

I looked back towards him and then back to my badging. "Cristina always likes being involved." I picked an answer from the choice, and it was correct. Thankfully. I knew I shouldn't look back up at him, but I did.

He had an observing behavior as if he were trying to figure out a difficult puzzle. It's horrifying considering half of what runs in my head. "Yes, I've noticed that Cristina likes being involved. Especially, when it comes to you. That's why you two are the looney twins." I'm glad I decided not to drink my rock star yet.

It felt like I was punched in the gut by him calling me Looney, even though it wasn't directly. "They call me and Cris what?" I mean I heard whispers about it, but I didn't even think it was true. It's not the ideal thing to hear from the AP of the store especially if you've got a crush on him.

He tilted his head at my reaction I couldn't figure out why but probably because of my reaction. "Easy, Amanda." I couldn't help but shiver at him calling me Amanda. "It's alright, we're all a little looney. That includes me." I peered into his trying to figure out if he was serious or just trying to calm me down. "And to answer your question, I'm okay, but this seems like hell."

I had to look away, and I grabbed my rock star so I can get a drink because Lord knows, this man has an effect. "It seems like hell. No, dear Alec it is hell." I mumbled making him laugh a little.

The Christmas music stopped, which meant there was an announcement or a page. It's likely to be an announcement since not much has happened and there is more likely than a page. Alec to the front desk please. Alec to the front desk please. Okay, it is a page.

I looked up and frowned. I was enjoying this since it was the first time I talked to him other than a simple hello. "I have to go, I'm being summoned." I nodded before looking over to where Cristina sat leaning at the end of my register starring.

I rolled my eyes at her antics, knowing she was going to be picking through this encounter. "Yeah, you should." I said with a small smile and tilted my head. "Enjoy hell." I said playfully, making him roll his eyes.

He pushed himself off my bag carousel and straightened out his shirt. "Does anyone ever truly enjoy hell? Isn't it a punishment for humanities darker desires." He did have a point, but his face clearly showed he was playing with me before walking to the front desk.

Cris started strolling up here, as Alec walked to the front desk. "Well, that went smoothly." I peered over to her and stared at her.

Bitch.

I cleared my throat and pushed my intrusive thoughts aside and nodded. "Indeed, it did go smooth." Cris raised an eyebrow at my remark.

She snickered now while she looked at the customer service desk then back to me. "Your sarcasm is charming; I'm surprised he hasn't asked you out yet." I smacked her shoulder which caused a mini echo which caused people to look at me. "We're good just two friends goofing off." I rolled my eyes as I knelt to get bags to restock my bag carousel.

I looked over customer service, and watched Alec talk to Sam and the team led Emma. I started adding the bags. I couldn't help but wonder what the topic of their conversation was. When the two went to look at me, I looked back down to organize the bags.