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Much in the same way that Jess and I conversing isn’t pressing enough for me to tear my eyes away from Bailey, he’s sneaking a glance at his phone between customers at his stand. Almost as if Bailey’s texting someone.

Maybe Mantis is right. Maybe Bailey has been a lost cause from the start, but I simply don’t know it yet. He came over to our stand again today and spent the entire time ignoring me and flirting with Jess. Another lost cause.

Then again, I’ve done a very… thorough search of the internet to learn more about Bailey. He doesn’t list himself as in a relationship on any of his social media profiles, but that doesn’t mean anything. Aside from the most basic information, he doesn’t put much out there. Not judging. I’m the same. Never can be too careful these days. At the very least, I’ve learned his last name is not in fact Bee. The gimmick is still cute, anyway.

“Watch the stand for a minute. I’ll be right back,” Jesse says as he’s walking away.

Yep. You can count on me. The market will be over in less than ten minutes anyway, so foot traffic has already dwindled significantly. As soon as Jess is out of sight, I’ve got my phoneout and lowered enough to be obscured by the table in front of me.

Purple Puppy:I’m hanging out with my friend right after work, so I may not get to call tonight.

I include the biggest frown emoji available.

Orchid Mantis:Get back to work.

Sent with a sassy wink.

Purple Puppy:How do you know I’m at work?

Orchid Mantis:You told me yesterday that you had work in the morning.

Purple Puppy:Maybe I’m done for the day.

I grin at my screen. Teasing him is fun.

Orchid Mantis:You’re not.

My skin prickles with that sense of being watched, but there aren’t any customers waiting when I glance up from my screen.

Orchid Mantis:You already told me you’re hanging out with your friend right after work. Therefore, you must still be at work.

Purple Puppy:…or I could be home and waiting for him to get here.

Orchid Mantis:No.

Orchid Mantis:You’re not.

Purple Puppy:And how would you know? Are you spying on me?

Orchid Mantis:If you had so much as five free minutes, you’d be calling me.

Well, he’s got me there. Fuck a duck, does he know me.

Orchid Mantis:Go be the responsible adult you’re trying to become, and I’ll be doing the same. I’ll message you later.

I smile at my screen and put the phone back in the pocket of my jeans. Do I ever have great timing, too. Jess returns within minutes while I’m responsibly packing everything that needs to be loaded back into the truck.

“Are we still on for tonight?” Jesse asks once I’m within earshot.

“Yeah, of course.” I smile right at him. “Best coworker and friend ever.”

Jesse smiles back and gets to work alongside me.

Really doesn’t take much to keep Jess happy, which is what I like so much about him. The man may not grasp the concept of romance, but at least he recognizes appreciation, and he’s always grateful.

A couple of hours later, everything’s done back at the farm and we’re finally at my place. We’re going to have a binge marathon: a season of a show, a case of cheap beer, and a large pizza. Neither of us have work tomorrow since our boss always gives us Monday off to compensate for time and half on Sunday while working the farmer’s market ourselves. Jess and I have beenworking for him long enough that he trusts us to get a job done without micromanaging. Plus, he’s getting kinda up there in age and starting the slow process of leaving the business to Cheryl.

“Oh, please, no.” Jesse cringes at my selection. “Not makeup. I can’t watch that for a whole evening.”