Snippet #2715190

Catherine immediately dived back in to charm making. With only a few hours left before the shop closed up, she was determined to get at least somewhat ahead in her work with the disaster of last week looming over her head. She was making decent progress when the doorbell rang. Cathy glanced up and immediately buried her face in her hands. Bow-Tie Guy A.K.A Michael A.K.A creepy asshole who special orders weird hexes. Looking to make this as painless as possible, she stood up and gently nudged Jaede away from the counter.

"Let me handle this one, sweetheart. Pulling the hex out of a special box under the counter she braced herself for Ass-Tie as he approached her.

"Hello, Michael. What brings you in today?" she said with as much civility as possible. Michael proceeded to smirk looking down at her.

"Ah well, I came to see if that order I placed was ready. I know I said it didn't have to be done till next week, but knowing how on the ball you are about your work, I had a hunch it was done. Is it?" he leaned in closer with one arm propped on the counter as he spoke, and like an opposing magnet, Cat leaned back and away as much as her spine could bend.

"As it turns out, it is." Cat placed the velvet bag onto the counter top next to the cash register. "Allow me to ring that up real quick..." She pressed a few buttons before turning back to Ass-Tie. "$30.73 is your total."

"Aw, why so cold Cathy? Are you free after work? I can take you out my treat..." As he gave his sales pitch, Catherine had to resist the urge to openly scowl at his suggestion.

"Sorry. I have plans. Are you paying with cash or card?" Ass-Tie begrudgingly pulled out his wallet and plopped a fifty dollar bill down onto the counter.

"You must be a fairly busy woman to have plans after work the last three times I've asked." Cathy silently made the change ignoring his comment. She printed his receipt and handed him his change.

"Have a nice day," she dismissed him with a obviously fake smile. Ass-Tie smirked before strolling out the door like he owned the place. After the store bell rang and closed, a faint muttered Ass-Tie could be heard under her breath.

Ugh, I could really go for a drink... she thought wistfully.

"Hey Licia, after work you want to hit up that jazzy little bar down the street? We could convince Elias to go too. After a shit day like today, I could really use a nice shot of tequila." Licia had been sour all day. Surely she wouldn't turn down a drink. Elias would be a little more difficult to convince due to his aversion to alcohol and reluctance to leave the shop, but surely he wouldn't turn down a chance to socialize. She was about to head back to her desk when the doorbell rang again. Cathy looked up and spotted an unfamiliar face.

"Who um could I uh speak to to get a job at this shop." Cathy's eyebrows raised. We hadn't had fresh meat since Justin. She raised her arm and flagged him down.

"I can help you out. My name is Cathy. The manager will be with you shortly. For now, here's an application. You can start filling that out while you wait." Cathy handed him a printed application along with a pen and left him at the corner of the counter to fill in the blanks.