Page 29 of Not Looking
He shrugged. “Not my business, but you can ask if you want. He’s pretty open.”
“Ok.”
He stood and rapped his knuckles on the counter a couple times. “I’ll leave you to it, Romeo.”
“Oh, fuck you.”
He laughed as he walked away. “The sooner you call, the sooner you get to talk to him.”
I glared at his back, but couldn’t help picking up the slip as soon as he strode through the double doors that separated the showroom from the mill and admin sections.
No waiting for my omega to come in—hoping that I was working that day. I hated the teasing that would come from it, but it wasn’t like not calling him would make it any less.
I looked around to be sure, but it had been a while since the last customer had walked in. Midday on a Wednesday wasn’t exactly the rush for us, so I figured it was as good a time as any.
I glanced at the number on the form and dialed.
Ring…
Ring…
Ring…
I started to worry that the call would go to voicemail.
“This is Randy,” he answered, out of breath over what seemed to be the sound of machinery coming to a stop in the background.
“Um… hi…” I started. “Th-this is Craig from Mount Sable Mill.”
“Just a minute.” There was a moment where it sounded like he was doing something, then, “Sorry, could you say that again? I forgot I doubled up on ear protection today.”
“This is Craig from Mount Sable Mill,” I repeated.
“Oh… hi… does this mean my order is ready?”
I chuckled. “It is.”
A moment of silence. “Do you know the final weight?”
I glanced at the form. “Three thousand?”
He hummed. “Sounds like three trips.”
“Do you want us to schedule a delivery instead?”
He laughed. “Naw, my old truck can handle it. Unloading is the worst part.”
“Unloading?”
“You try unloading three truckloads of wood into a shed by yourself.”
“If you want… I can…” I started.
He laughed again. “Thanks, but I’ve got it. I schlep wood all day. This is just a bit more than normal.”
“Ri-right.” I swallowed. “D-do you know when you might come in? That way I can ask the guys loading to be ready.”
“I want to run these boards through the planer a few more times, then I’ll be at a good stopping point. If I could pick up the first load this afternoon, that would give me all day tomorrow to get the other two.”
