The store wasn’t large, and he found the running shoes fairly quickly.

“These look like your style.”

“You know my style?”

He frowned. “No, I mean. Well, they look like the ones I - the ones you brought in.”

She smiled at him. Her face was so familiar, and it was already too late to pretend this was their first meeting. What would he do if she knew his name?

“I’m just kidding. These are perfect. For running, at least. They wouldn’t go well with any of my dresses.”

“Oh. Of course.”

“Gee, you have this shoe-selling stuff down.”

He laughed anxiously. “Thanks for that, by the way. This is like my fortieth place looking for a job. I’ve never even been to this store before.”

The girl looked up at him innocently. “You don’t really work here? Oh, I’m sorry. I only go for the real thing. Pseduo-salesmen aren’t my type.”

When she saw his face contract into what looked like horror, she held out her hand.

“My name is Laura.”

He did the same, finally letting himself enjoy the moment. “Roman. I was afraid we’d met somewhere, but I couldn’t quite remember.”

She feigned disappointment. “You don’t remember? You were looking over at me all night. Last Friday.”

Memories fell into place. Last Friday. Jakob’s party. The girl in the orange. He hadn’t even talked to her. “Of course! Oh, I’m sorry, I must seem like a huge idiot.”

“Only right now. I’m sure you’ll make up for it.” She took his hand. From her pocket she pulled a black Uni-Ball. Then, after uncapping the pen with her teeth, she dragged its tip across his palm in tight swoops.

“Call me. And don’t wait two days, all right?” He nodded, unable to think of what else to do.

He left the store in a daze, walking a block in the wrong direction before realizing and forcing himself to pull it together. It was only when he finally reached his car that he allowed himself to celebrate.

***

Meanwhile, as Laura pulled on her new shoes…