5

5

Seth

Seth liked watching Dakota with the old people. Of course, dealing with them was part of his job, but he did it with an unusual amount of grace and kindness. How long had it been since Seth met someone with those traits?

"How did Gay Nineties start?" he asked Dakota as they moved away from the meat counter.

"A few years ago. My boss met the man she calls her favorite husband in the store. And I guess picking up dates in a grocery store was a thing in the eighties. So, she decided to bring it back as a store promo. She did a big Valentine's night oldies festival, and it was such a hit that it became a weekly thing."

"It's weird to think of people my grandmother's age looking for dates."

Dakota shrugged. "Everybody gets lonely."

They were standing by the frozen foods. Seth put his hand on Dakota's arm and stopped him. "How about you? Are you lonely?"

Dakota's eyes were deep pools that Seth thought he might be able to lose himself in forever. After holding Seth's gaze for a long moment, Dakota nodded and whispered, "Sometimes."

Seth cupped his face, rubbing his thumb along Dakota's jaw. "I know we haven't known each other long but I have an overwhelming desire to kiss you." He was interrupted by a loud crash from across the store.

Dakota jerked away and ran toward the sound. Seth followed, feeling foolish. Why would Dakota want to kiss someone he barely knew? It's just that the connection seemed so powerful, it felt like he'd drunk a philter of love. Which was stupid because those didn't exist in real life.

They rounded the end of the aisle only to see the couple from earlier who had been interested in cocktail peanuts clutching each other while cans rolled around their feet. The man's motorized cart stood a few feet away.

"I hardly touched the tower of cans, and suddenly, it tilted precipitously and disassembled itself," the woman said as Dakota arrived.

"He pushed her up against the display like they were twenty-somethings at a bar." The divorced woman stood further down the aisle with her fists on her hips. "You'd think by their age they'd have learned some decorum."

Dakota touched the old woman's shoulder gingerly. "Are you okay, Miss Witherspoon?"

She grimaced. "I am mostly embarrassed. I did not mean to cause such a commotion."

Dakota took her arm. "Don't worry, I can clean this up. Let's get you over to one of the benches to sit down. Your friend can keep you company." Dakota momentarily let go of Miss Witherspoon's arm, then helped her companion back into his motorized cart.

Other customers gathered around.

"Nothing to see here," Seth called, doing his City Watch Investigator imitation. "Everyone is okay. Move along."

He bent down and started picking up cans of tomatoes, making a path for Dakota to lead Miss Witherspoon and her friend through. Dakota shot him a dazzling smile that went right into Seth's heart.

Seth corralled the cans from where they'd rolled under other displays, into the cash register area, and down aisles in every direction. Dakota joined him, and they started recreating the pyramid.

"She weighs maybe 80 pounds," Seth whispered as he handed Dakota a can. "That must have been a powerful kiss."

Seth couldn't stop thinking about trying to kiss Dakota in the frozen food section. It had felt mutual but was it? And was Dakota thinking about it now?