The Forgotten Ones

“She seems okay,” I said. “Thanks for helping with the window.”
    Ethan looked down at the floor. For a second I thought he might be embarrassed but when he looked up his roguish smile set my cheeks on fire.
    “My pleasure, Allison.”
    The look on his face spread the blush down my neck, and I hurried toward the front door. As I walked out, I could still feel Ethan watching me.

    “Which color would you go with, Allison?”
    I looked up from the ordering screen on the computer to see Gus Baker holding two strips of paint chips up for me, frown lines etched between his winged eyebrows. I took a deep breath before walking over to the counter where Gus stood waiting for me, his watery blue eyes watching me. From across the counter, I could smell the tang of dirty laundry and decaying teeth.
    I tried not to be annoyed at the little old man, but Gus was in here every day . I guess he was lonely, but he spent as much time in this store as I did. And he never bought anything.
    “I’d go with the eucalyptus green,” I said in my friendliest voice.
    “I just don’t know. There are so many of these colors! How does anyone choose?” Gus grumbled, his eyes intent on my face.
    I swallowed, forcing my smile to stay in place as I breathed through my mouth. I just wanted to get the big order that just came in all set for Pop, but Gus had been here for the past forty-five minutes comparing shades of green. I sighed inwardly. He needed to find a new hangout.
    The door jingled, signaling a new arrival. I glanced at the door. Ethan. Figures.
    Seeing me, his eyes lit up and his face broke into a stomach-twisting half-smile. I shook my head at him, and he chuckled. He knew the effect that grin had on girls, obviously.
    Gus’s rumbly throat-clearing brought me back to reality. He was still watching me, waiting for my reply as though his life depended on it.
    “Maybe going with green is a bad idea, after all,” Gus said. “I guess I’ll just keep it the way it is.”
    I nodded and closed my eyes to hide my exasperation. When I reopened them, Ethan was standing a few aisles back, toying with the foam paintbrushes. His smirk stayed firmly in place, his dimples doing a number on my willpower.
    “You know,” Gus said. “I’ve heard the lunch special down at The Pickle Barrel includes a meal for two for ten dollars. I would really like to treat you sometime. You’re such a big help to me here.”
    I opened my mouth in shock, staring back at Gus without replying. I could hear snickering from the paintbrush aisle and glared in Ethan’s direction as he coughed to cover up his amusement.
    I had to say something, but words wouldn’t come. Gus just looked at me with his cloudy eyes wide and hopeful.
    “Hey, how’s it going Gus?” Ethan sauntered over and clapped Gus on the back. I cocked my head at him in confusion.
    “Oh,” Gus sputtered. “Hey, there yourself, Ethan. How’s the family?”
    Everyone knew everyone in this town. You couldn’t go anywhere without someone asking about your family.
    “Doing well, thanks. I’m just popping in to bring my girl her lunch.” He grinned and held out a little brown lunch sack. My eyes widened with surprise. Now what is he doing?
    “Your girl, huh?” Gus looked between Ethan and me, his expression crestfallen. “Well, that’s great.” Gus stared at me a minute longer before muttering something about seeing me later and shuffling toward the exit.
    “You’re welcome,” Ethan said, waggling his eyebrows at me.
    “Who said I was your girl ?” I huffed, placing my hands on my hips. I tried to be serious but a laugh escaped. The relief of avoiding turning down Gus’s invitation kept my annoyance at Ethan’s remark at bay.
    Ethan placed the lunch sack on the counter and leaned forward on his palms. “Just having a little fun.”
    I rolled my eyes at him.
    “How long have you had poor Gus smitten?” Ethan was still leaning forward, his big brown eyes glowing with humor.
    “ Poor Gus is just lonely. He’s in here just about every day.”
    Ethan shook his head and placed a hand over his heart. “I know how he feels. The poor sap.”
    “So, what are you really doing here, besides saving Gus from heartache?” I asked, heading back to the computer and perching myself on the stool to work on the order.
    “After I put in the window, your grandmother asked me to bring this down….to save you having to come home for lunch.”
    I snorted, keeping my eyes on the