"Rose! Wake up!"
"I am up."
"Well, you look like a zombie. What are you zoned out thinking about?"
"Just thinking about what outfit I want to sew for Rosebud when I get home," Rose answered as she wiped down the register lane.
"That's your doll's name? I don't know how I keep forgetting that." Her coworker laughed.
"Well, you should probably go tell that weird man back there to stop staring at you. He's been doing that for several minutes."
"Who?"
"Oh my gosh, you're so unobservant, Rose."
"It's that pale man standing by the chip aisle."
Rose glanced over before quickly looking away again.
"He's kind of handsome," she admitted quietly. "I like his style. Very Edwardian gothic. You don't see that very often... especially in a grocery store."
"Of course you wouldn't find anything weird about his style. You can at least admit the sunglasses are odd, right?"
"Maybe he's hungover? That would explain him staring in my direction. He could just be zoning out like me."
"You're way too nice. But that's why I like you, Rose. We balance each other out."
Rose smiled faintly.
"Maybe I should go see if he needs help. We're pretty slow right now anyway, and if he doesn't need anything, I'll straighten up a bit."
"Sure, you can do that. But I'm not working harder than I have to. Give me a shout if he makes you uncomfortable."
"Got it."
Rose slowly made her way toward the man, who didn't seem to take his eyes off her even behind his dark sunglasses.
"Hi, sir. Is there anything I can help you find?"
"Yes," he replied smoothly. "Actually, I think you can."
His lips curved slightly.
"I'm Atlas. I'm glad you came to help me..."
His gaze drifted down to her nametag.
"Rose," he said softly, as though tasting the name itself.
Rose shifted awkwardly beneath his intense stare.
"Well, I'm happy help—"
She cringed.
"Happy to help. Sorry."
Why am I stumbling over my words?
"Yes," Atlas said calmly. "Could you show me where the automotive section is? I've been told the aisle number several times, yet I keep walking in circles."