Page 16 of Thorn Evermore
“You’re right, but people would unsub if the newsletter was boring. You need to own that skill.”
I dip my head toward her. “I’ll work on that. Are you ready for lunch?”
“Hell yes. My stomach is cranky.”
“The deli?”
She smiles. “Sure, Ky. We can do the deli again.”
Smiling back at her, I grab my jacket. “They have the best tuna fish.”
Sandra scrunches her nose. “Mmm.”
I laugh, hooking my arm through hers. “Come on.”
When we walk up front the store is busy and there’s a small line forming at the checkout.
“Oh, we should jump on a register for a few minutes.”
“Agreed,” Sandra says, already tucking her purse under the counter.
We hop on the other two registers, and thirty minutes later, the line has finally subsided.
“Thanks for the help, guys,” Juliana says. “I don’t know where all those customers came from.”
“Busy is better than bored,” I say. “We’re gonna grab a quick bite, but we’ll help again if needed when we get back.”
“Enjoy,” Juliana says.
Sandra and I hurry down the sidewalk and across thestreet to the deli. The air is crisp and chilly, reminding us that winter hasn’t quite let go yet, but I love this kind of weather.
After we finally get our lunch and eat it quickly, we return to the store, ready to jump in and help restocking or checking customers out, but Neal is standing at the front counter with a disapproving look on his face.
“I’m very surprised you thought it was appropriate to take a break before the shipment was inventoried,” Neal says.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. It was done before we left.”
He looks at his clipboard. “Nope. No new items entered.”
Scrunching my forehead, I head to the warehouse with Sandra close behind me. What I find at my station makes my jaw drop. The inventory sheet is open, but it’s blank.
“This is impossible.” I click several keys, but it’s not saved. “We spent all morning on this.”
“Did you?” Neal asks from behind me. “Are you sure you locked your computer before you left?”
I twist around as my cheeks burn with anger. “You didn’t.”
“Didn’t what, Kyson?”
“You… you deleted my work?”
“Son of a bitch,” Sandra mutters under her breath.
“Me?” Neal feigns innocence. “Could have been anyone. That’s why security is so important.” He sighs. “Well, guess you better get to it. The district manager is waiting for a full report on the contents.”
I swear my blood is boiling. In twelve years I’ve never once had someone mess with my work. “You’re a real jerk, Neal.”
He steps closer, a condescending smirk on his lips. “Maybe you just forgot. You were out late and all. Hope your date was worth it.”