Shane

Markayla was beginning to feel like she lived alone. Jack got in just after her alarm woke her but by the time she'd showered and dressed for work, he was already out cold. She gazed at his exhausted sleeping form as she gathered her purse and got ready to head out for the day. So much effort for so little money, she thought with a sigh. Both of them made shitty money. They could barely keep their heads afloat. Their jobs paid more than minimum wage, yes, but California was a very expensive place to live, so the money they made that wasn't considered bad in most places got sunk into their living expenses. They should've headed east. Not further west. A few hours later, Markayla was engrossed in an editing job when she saw someone approaching the entrance from her peripheral vision. It was Shane. And he was alone. This was the first time she'd ever seen him alone. Her heartbeat sped up as the tall, skinny guy pulled open one of the double glass doors and stepped into the large room. "Hello," he said with a pleasant smile. "Good morning," she said. "How are you today?" "I'm great." She'd also never seen him this chipper before. Maybe he was the type who went quiet when more people were present. He stopped, gazed at her a moment, then said, "Working hard today?" "Just another typical editing job. It's tedious but it's better than flipping burgers." He chuckled, hesitated a moment longer, then headed to the exercise room. "Have a nice workout," Markayla called behind him. "Thanks. I will." Markayla had trouble concentrating, knowing Shane was just a room away. A room away and alone. Nearly half an hour later, she heard the rhythmic motion of the Bowflex pulleys stop, and then footsteps sounded behind her. She turned her head to find Shane chugging from a water bottle. "Good workout?" "Good enough," he said, walking toward her. "Mind if I sit down and rest for a few minutes?" "No, not at all," she said a little too quickly. "You sure? I don't want to keep you from your work." "You're not keeping me from my work. I'm actually an hour or two ahead of myself." Shane sat down, rested his elbows on his knees, and studied her intently. "I'll bet you're a pretty smart lady." "I wouldn't exactly go that far. I'm pretty average." Shane smiled softly, kind of gazed down at the floor shyly, and then took another pull from his water bottle. "How long have you been working here?" Markayla asked. "Not long. You?" "A few years." "You're not from here, are you?" Markayla shook her head. "New Mexico. What about you?" "Been here all my life. I have a place outside of town." "Oh. You live by yourself?" Shane nodded and motioned to her wedding band. "I see you don't." Markayla glanced at her left hand and chuckled. "Oh, no. I don't." "No kids?" Markayla shook her head. "Naw, I'm just your typical modern-day working woman. And you? Any wives, girlfriends or kids?" "Not yet." Shane hesitated a moment and then said, "If this is too personal, you can tell me to mind my own business, and I gladly will, but I'm curious about something." "What's that?" "Are you happily married or are you just married?" Markayla laughed and then cleared her throat. Maybe this guy wasn't as shy as she thought he was, after all. No, she definitely hadn't expected this one. "Well, if you must know, he's definitely the ideal husband, though he's not perfect, of course. He just started working graves, so we don't see much of each other these days." Shane simply stared at her and she wondered if it had been such a good idea to let him know she was alone at night, not that he knew where she was alone at night. "I'm sorry to hear that." "It's ok. I'm good at keeping myself well entertained. I'm curious as to why you're curious, though." Shane thought a moment, then simply shrugged as if he'd been unable to come up with a suitable answer. Markayla studied him. The guy was hard to figure. She continued to find him both creepy and fascinating. She wondered if she'd feel the same if he weren't so good-looking. Then he rose from the chair he'd been sitting on next to hers and slowly sauntered over to the trash bin where he disposed of his water bottle. "Have a great day, Markayla." "You too, Shane." She watched him disappear into the rainy day, leaving her to wonder how one could be so turned on by someone who also sent chills up their spine. It was like being drawn to a drug. You knew it was somehow bad for you but you just couldn't resist it.