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That was kind of odd. Phil had been quieter when he had first started here, but now he rarely passed up a chance to trade quips and insults with his coworkers. The real thing that had turned him around and brought him out of his shell had been Sue, which was good for Phil but still rather creepy. He joked around with Phil about dating a zombie, but that didn t mean Caleb was used to seeing such a thing. He tried to be progressive and open-minded, but a part of him still didn t think Phil s behavior was natural.
Caleb hung around inside the store, exchanging small-talk with Kelly for the few minutes until Gloria showed up. As nervous as he was about the prospect of a date for the first time in over a year, though, he was getting even more nervous about Lucas s absence so far. If the newbie really had decided to do a no call/no show then Caleb would be expected to do his shift after all. If he wasn t coming in, then that little bastard had better be in mortal danger or something, or else Caleb would kick his ass. Never mind that Caleb had a lot more luck kicking the ass of supernatural beasties than he did actual humans, he would still do it.
He was brooding to himself next to the freezer case when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He jumped as the sudden touch and turned to see Gloria looking at him with her eyebrow raised.
Easy there, Butcher. Act like that much more and I might begin to think you re nervous.
Nervous about what? Caleb said. That something might happen tonight and I ll have to bail your ass out like I always do? Even as the words came out of his mouth he felt the need to smack himself. This was a date, sort of, not a pissing contest with one of the other employees. Smack talking was probably not wise. But he couldn t think of anything else to say.
Gloria eyed him but didn t say anything. The fact that she didn t talk any trash back to him only reinforced that he had said exactly the wrong thing. At least she didn t seem to take it personal. She was dressed in an outfit very similar to the one she had worn last night, if maybe slightly nicer. She still had the leather jacket and a small duffel bag but had gone without the cowboy hat, allowing her black hair to flow over her ears and hang just above her shoulders. Her blouse was light purple, a feminine color that Caleb had never expected her to actually wear, and instead of jeans she wore dark slacks. The light brown skin of her face had only a subtle amount of make-up. She didn t need much make-up to bring out her natural beauty.
So you ready to go then? she asked.
I would be except he started, but the door opened and Lucas came in, stopping just in front of the counter to catch his breath. His cheeks were flushed and there were small beads of sweat on his forehead.
Holy shit, Lucas said. You guys are never going to believe what I just saw down the street.
If it was a rat with tentacles then we d believe you just fine, Kelly said, already unbuttoning her smock as Phil came from the back room to take her place at the register.
How did you well, I guess he must be a regular customer, Lucas said.
Thankfully not that regular, Caleb said as he approached Lucas. He dropped his voice lower so Gloria wouldn t hear. Thanks again for working tonight.
Yeah, sure, whatever, he said. He seemed distracted, but Caleb figured that was to be expected. Lucas moved to go to the back room to punch in and put on a smock, but Caleb caught him gently by the arm first and leaned in close so that only Lucas could hear.
Hey, just keep an open mind tonight, all right? No matter what you see. Just be cool.
Lucas didn t look like he knew how to take that. Right. Okay. Then he went around to the back. Caleb waved to Phil as he went to the door. Have a good night, man. Phil didn t wave back, although when Gloria waved he at least acknowledged it with a nod.
What was that all about? Gloria asked as they stepped out into the parking lot.
Don t really know, Caleb said. Then a thought occurred to