Fall From Grace by Kelly Hogan Page A

the Soccer Moms to boot - a record for me!  
    Texting Gabs on my break, I apologized for last night and found out that indeed Bongo Boy is gay (sucks) but that thankfully I left when I did as Todd Winters showed up asking Gabs a whole bunch of questions about me. If I was seeing anyone, how I was feeling, if I was into Star Wars. Todd's a nice guy. Too nice really. The Star Wars comment was a little off base but I'm genuinely flattered. I have to think of a nice way to let him down easy. Perhaps if I tell him I prefer Star Trek he'll realize we aren't cosmically matched and move on.
    Zoning out as I fold t-shirts and hash over my 'I really want to focus on school right now', or the 'I don't to ruin our friendship' speech, a familiar voice brings me back to the land of here and now.
    "Either you're really into orderly t-shirts, or you've fallen into a standing coma due to boredom. Personally I hope it's the coma as the former is really too nerdy for me." Wheeling around, I almost smack Ash in the chin with my elbow before he jumps back in a super fast jolt and avoids the pummel.        
    "Holy Shit Ash, didn't your Mother ever teach you not to creep up on people and scare the bejezus out of them?" I stammer, holding my hand to my chest as if it will slow down the frantic hammering that's begun. "Good reflexes though, I'm impressed."
    "Sorry Stella, I just thought staring at you any longer without speaking might make me look a little stalker-ish and tarnish my 'new guy' coolness."
    "'New guy' coolness? Nah, the chicks are just desperate in this town. They'd take you on even if you had a few sister wives," I say with a smirk getting back some composure.
    "Ouch. I guess my charms don't extend to you then Miss Grace. Too bad, I thought we would be dangerously hot together," he says with a wink and a devilish grin as my heart picks up in tempo again. I step back and grab my necklace, playing with the skull charm in a fidgety habit to re-gain control of my nerves.  
    "So what are you doing here then? Besides Stalking me that is."
    Did I just make another joke? Am I shamelessly flirting with him? Yes. Yes I am.
    "Hey now, there's definitely something to be said for stalkers; all that determination and focus takes drive. Even 'nerdy' old you would have to admit it's a little admirable."
    "Har Har. Ok I get it. But to be fair, I get paid to fold these t-shirts and I happen to be very good at it, so there," I say crossing my arms in front as he hooks his fingers into his front jeans loops.
    "So, do you want the honest answer or the non-stalker answer?" he replies.
    "Both please."
    "Ok, non-stalker is that I need some new clothes until the rest of mine get shipped here from New York. Stalker answer is that I just wanted to see how you were doing after last night."  
    "Oh. Um. Ya, I'm good. Uh thanks for asking," I pause, surprised over his openness. "I'm really not usually so bizarre, but I've been getting over this flu and it's beaten the crap out of me lately. Hormones in overdrive I guess." Mortified I mentioned hormones, I snap my mouth shut and stare down at my riveting feet. What is wrong with you Stella?
    "I'm glad. I meant what I said too Stella. Whether her reasons for leaving you were well intended or selfish, you can never think it was an easy choice. Sometimes Shit happens and there is nothing you can do about it. Well, besides buy some expensive jeans - is that really what they cost?" he says gesturing to the rack beside us with a look of horror.
    Grateful for the topic change, I push forward with trying to get him undressed.
    "C'mon guy, they're True Religion! They make your butt look incredible. Isn't that worth a few hundred?"
    "You think I need it?" he says with a glint in his eye. Is he actually flirting back?
    Grabbing his shoulders and turning him around in a move I had no idea I was ballsy enough to pull off I say, "We all need a little help from time to time. You're ok, but I work on commission so yes, you