Secret Shopper (18 page)

“Yeah, he called me and told me what happened. I’m sorry about that.”

“Why are you sorry? I’m the one with a psycho ex. Mind you he’s trained now in weapons.”

“Phoenix, we aren’t doing anything wrong, remember? Buddies only right?” He raised his clenched fist for a fist pump and I complied. His golden pendant twinkled in the fluorescent lighting and I felt it was an opportune time to ask about it.

Suddenly, the outside world stopped. I didn’t notice the sound of traffic or the warmth of the sun shining on my back. The two sailors took their cue and left. Even when
Alma came back beaming and got my boots back on me, she stayed away and kept busy in the back room.

Thomas explained that the pendant belonged to his father. He gave it to him before he died. I didn’t want to pry, but I put a pin in my mental Thomas Board to ask later. Thomas said it was given to his father by his Irish grandfather. I
knew
it was Celtic. Thomas explained the meaning of the Celtic knot, no beginning, no end. It was an enduring symbol. His sister wore the trinity knot herself. I watched his beautiful face closely as pain would flash there at times. I wanted to comfort him, but kept my hands clasped tightly on my lap.

             
I gave Thomas an update on my divorce. He seemed a bit upset that Bradley decided to drag his feet on the matter, but he understood. His gorgeous, full moon eyes showed me he understood. I really appreciated his patience. Flowers couldn’t bloom in a flash, and I was thankful that Thomas afforded me the time for my heart to bloom again.

             
“If I was Bradley, I wouldn’t want to let you go too.” Thomas said, his eyes scanning my face. My body was set on fire and it was a mixture of embarrassment and desire. I wanted to reach out for his hands, but I collected my things and stood up slowly. We had been sitting for almost an hour, and Uncle Tony was expecting me for dinner. Thomas walked me to the door. Several young girls walked in and giggled when they saw Thomas. I knew that giggle, I was once twelve crushing on older boys. He smiled a warm smile, but it was reserved, never reaching his eyes. It was great to see him polishing his customer service skills, but perhaps it was because I was there. Thomas winked at me and held the door open. If we were together already, I would have given him a kiss farewell. I bit my yearning lips instead.

             
“Thomas, I’m glad you’re not Bradley. I’m happy that you’re you. You are really a kind soul. Thank you for explaining the story behind your necklace.” I reached out for the pendant. It was heavier than I thought. I let the piece of family history go and it made a tangible sound on his chest. “I appreciate it.” I dragged out our goodbye, maybe even marking Thomas as mine to the tweens who were staring at us. The bolder, more attractive girl of the group called out to Thomas for assistance. I took that as my cue to leave. I held my hand out to shake his and the gaggle of girls seemed relieved that I wasn’t a love interest. Thomas took my hand in his, not rushing to assist his fans. He smiled my special smile again and his eyes remained steady with mine. He bent down and kissed my hand. I’m sure I blushed like a horny rose bloom. I saw the scowls and rolling eyes for a split second from the mob. I smiled, proud of myself even.

             
“This is how he bids farewell to all his customers, ladies. Make sure you get
your
kiss on the hand.” Thomas laughed nervously and I waved him away. As I sat in my car, I saw Alma arrive just in time to take the girls’ orders. Thomas returned to his counter and this time he watched me leave.

Chapter 10

Popeye, My Hero

             
It was the third week of October. Bradley didn’t bother me much aside from the occasional text. He told me his training was postponed and that he would be staying at a friend's. I thought it was mature of him, until I saw him and Jem at the park. I watched them interact, holding hands, looking like any other couple in love. She was the friend he was bunking with. The ache I felt for Bradley was mostly gone and that realization was a relief.

It was the weekend of my Halloween party that Angelica was charged with planning. Only half the Field Agents would be at Pass the Mic.

I had spoken to Thomas every night since I met him at the shop. We reluctantly budgeted our time to one hour in the evenings. Each day I learned more about him and he learned more about me. I enjoyed this friendship we were weaving even if it was in moderation.

              As I drove up to the karaoke bar, my mind flashed to the evening Thomas sang with his sister. I wished he was here tonight so I could hear his voice again, but I was really not comfortable with the thought of him seeing me in my barely there mermaid outfit. Modesty was still my bane. I wore a bulky hooded jacket just to get passed my Uncle Tony. My cousin Ty was driving into town that evening, but I couldn’t hang around to wait for him, although I wanted to. I asked my uncle not to tell Ty about my divorce. Ty, Bradley and I went golfing when we first got married, just before his deployment. Returning from the middle east, I didn’t want him to stress about my drama.

             
I stood outside the bar and unzipped my hoodie, then zipped it up again. I took a few deep breaths to harness bravery. I finally took off my hoodie and threw it on my car seat. I heard footsteps behind me, but didn’t see anyone. I ran, or rather wiggled into the building quickly.

Our group wasn’t large enough to reserve the entire bar, but we had a nicely decorated section for our group. I wondered what the general public would think when they saw a mermaid and sexy bees and pirates milling about singing terribly. My boss, Bruce had not seen me since our interview almost five months prior. He walked right up to me.

“Hi, I’m Bruce. Are you Ashlee, the new field agent?” I heard Angelica chortle. Bruce didn’t flirt, I wasn’t sure if he was even capable, which was a welcomed change. He was dressed as a doctor, white lab coat and a real stethoscope.

“Hey, Bruce. I’m
Phoenix. Phoenix Lizama, well Farmer. I’m getting a divorce.” I said too loudly. “I think I’m your only employee with that name. I’m from Guam? I did the strip club eval with Angelica?” The A-ha moment on his face was evident and he apologized profusely for not recognizing me. I wasn’t playing fair by not mentioning I was now about thirty pounds lighter.

“You look, well, you look well! I have to get Angelica to start a photo file for everyone. Well,
Phoenix, thank you for your service. Karaoke?”

“Not drunk enough.” I said as a
Pat Benatar song started.

“Me too. I need another beer then I think I’ll look into some karaoke.” Bruce smiled and walked off.

              Angelica and I found a spot away from our group to enjoy drinks and the sometimes wonderful karaoke. “Here’s your treat.” I handed her the gift bag with the Coach goodies and explained their origins. She squealed and didn’t object. She hugged me tightly, bounding around like she just won a prize.

The overall atmosphere in the bar was awkward, since field agents typically didn’t mingle or correspond with each other. We saw each other’s names in the mass e-mail blasts from the office
, but we really were strangers. Worse off, we were all in costumes.

             
“Maybe next year we should just have our party at a restaurant.” I told Angelica. She was dressed as a she-devil. She came across as cutesy and not sexy like I think she intended. I had been working with Angelica on some weight loss strategies and happily she was a third of her way to her goal weight and now a size 14. Angelica gushed over my mermaid outfit. I was really self-conscious, but my second drink melted some of my nerves.

A husband-wife duo were the first in our group to sing. They were dressed as salt and pepper shakers and belted out
You’re the One that I Want
, from the movie Grease. Angelica yanked me towards the stage and we danced.

Bruce shimmied his way to us and offered another round of drinks. His presence stopped our groovy dancing. “Angelica, did you know there’s another small company Halloween party tonight?” Bruce asked.

              “What?!” She looked around the dim bar. Then, a group of costumed Halloween partiers invaded. There was even a poorly dressed Popeye who walked in with a surfer dude.
Wait
, that looked like Tano. He was shirtless in tight board shorts. He had a white smear on his nose and carried in a boogie board. I looked at Popeye closely. He wore a cotton white t-shirt with what looked to be a sailor’s outfit drawn on it with a black Sharpie. His forearms were bulging, and he had very childish drawings on each arm, which were probably supposed to be the tattoos. The muscles looked to be made of panty house engorged with white stuffing. The pair both hid behind sunglasses and approached the stage with purpose. I turned back to the singers, wondering if Tano mentioned that he had a job. I peered at my halter top to make sure my girls were securely covered. Clamshells,
check and check
. Angelica noticed the two men as well and made it all too obvious that she found them attractive. I mean, she twirled her devil hair in her fingers with her smile wide and devious.

             
“Hey, Phoenix, check out the two studs at six o’clock.” Angelica prodded me with her glittered pitchfork. “The boogie boarder is hot!” Angelica knew I was on the road to divorceville, but she didn’t know I knew the boarder or the person I dreaded Popeye really was.

             
“His name is Tano.” I yelled over the singing.

             
“What?” She asked loudly.

             
“Tano! His name?” The karaoke duo neared the end of their cheesy duet.

             
Angelica pointed to her ears and gestured that she didn’t hear me yet again. “
Su-uhm-mer nigh-igh-ts, ai, aiaiai!”

             
“His name is TANO!” And the music ended just in time to have me embarrass myself.

             
“Oh, that’s a cool name.” Angelica said and she smiled at the guys who now stood right behind us. I turned slowly and saw Tano first.

             
“Hey, Phoenix!” He hugged me and I felt Angelica tug on my hair. I introduced them quickly. Tano politely smiled at Angelica, but I could tell he wasn’t interested by the way he flashed a fake half-hearted smile at her. “Guess who’s here?”

             
On cue, Popeye removed his shades and sidestepped into view. I pulled my long hair over my clam decorated breasts and folded my arms. Thomas, of course, I smiled despite my effort not to. Tano being ever so receptive and gentlemanly started up some small talk with Angelica, who was all too thrilled.

             
“Hey there, Popeye. Fancy seeing you here.” His smile lit up his beautiful face, which more than made up for his ridiculous costume. I reached out to his bulging faux forearms to take a closer look at his childish tattoos. On one side was an anchor and the other was a very cute stick figure attached to the bottom half of a fish. Under that mermaid tattoo was Thomas’s handwriting,

S I R E N A.

              I smiled and wondered what magical force was placing Thomas in my surroundings time and time again.

             
“Is Tano your date tonight?” I joked.

             
“Is she-devil yours?” He countered. Thomas pointed to an open booth, and I followed automatically. It felt natural to slide in next to this sailor, and that wasn’t just the mermaid in me talking. This wasn’t a date, since we just happened to meet here I assured myself. He ordered glass of wine for me and he chose a soda. He pointed out the group he was with and then I recognized Alma dressed as a sexy nurse and Tamara and her husband, James as Tarzan and Jane.

             
“Do you mean to tell me that your company party
just happens
to be here on the same night and locale as mine?” I thought that the chances of that were too fishy. We were having ours a week before Halloween since Bruce was scheduled for some sort of surgery the following week. But, I wondered why the Bag It crew was having theirs early too. Thomas became quiet and looked at the stage intently. Then, he started laughing, guilt all over his face. He revealed that he kept in regular contact with Rachel,
my Rachel
. She kept him informed of my whereabouts with texts.
That girl never stopped
, I thought angrily, but that feeling dissipated and was replaced by gratitude. My own cupid was working her magical powers from six thousand miles away on Guam.

             
“So, Chazzergate at the coffee shop. She called you?” The mystery dissolved in front of me.

             
“No, she just texted me.”

             
“Same crime mister.” I smiled to show him that I wasn’t really angry. “And you just happened to be in Pacific Beach?”

             
“That was really a coincidence, I was nowhere near there, but my Prius got me up north from Chula Vista pretty quick.” He smiled that disarming smile again. I gulped my wine and turned my attention to the song binder. Thomas was pleased with all the skin he was seeing, I was sure because his fabulous smile never relaxed. His lovely eyes drifting from my arms, to my face, to my hair. For the first time, I didn’t mind. I probably wouldn’t have minded if he glanced at my cleavage, except he didn’t.