His Uptown Girl Read Online Free Page B

mall are a couple of fast-food places.” He jerked his head in the opposite direction, toward the residential area. “But if you want one of the best corned beef on rye sandwich in the world, there’s a neighborhood market down that way.”
    â€œIt sounds like you know the area really well.”
    Bob smiled. Little crinkles appeared in the corners of his eyes. His whole face softened, confirming her earlier opinion that her boss was quite a good-looking man.
    â€œI grew up here. The reason Bart and I chose the location is because most of our initial customers were people we knew. It’s worked well, so we’re still here.”
    As they walked, they passed a number of specialty stores and small office buildings in the small commercial district. Not a single building was over two stories tall, and there were actually open metered parking spots on the street. The ambience of the district was nothing like the hustle and bustle of downtown. Georgette liked it.
    By the time they arrived at the ice cream shop, Georgette could feel effect of the unaccustomedweight of the steel-toed safety boots on her lower back, far different from too-high high heels. Thinking of her closet-full of spike heels, and the shoes she’d worn earlier, she inwardly shuddered at the thought of forcing her feet back into such things to go home.
    â€œWhat flavor do you want?”
    Georgette stared up in awe at the board listing the flavors.
    She probably could have picked an old standard, but today was a day of new experiences. Today was her first day of independence. Therefore, she wanted to pick the wildest flavor she could.
    She tipped her head toward Bob and whispered, “What’s Tiger Tiger?”
    He pointed to a bin containing swirls of black and orange stripes. “I’ve had that before. It’s a little strange. Orange and licorice. My favorite is the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.”
    She didn’t care if it was strange. She wanted to have an ice cream flavor she’d never had before, to celebrate her first day of doing a job she’d never done before.
    She turned to the kid behind the counter. “I’ll have the Tiger Tiger, please.”
    When the clerk began scooping the bright colors into a huge waffle cone Georgette reached to open her purse, but Bob stopped her.
    â€œNo, this is my treat. In honor of your first day.”
    â€œReally?”
    Bob smiled and turned to the clerk. “And the usual for me. Thanks.” He paid the teenager.
    Georgette didn’t know how to respond. Of course it was only a simple ice cream cone, an inexpensive treat,but no one had ever given her anything when her father hadn’t been either watching, or would be informed later.
    â€œThank you,” she muttered, thinking that she didn’t know enough nice people. Of course the people at her new church were nice, but she didn’t know any of them that well, since she’d only been attending church for a few months.
    When the clerk handed her the cone, Georgette gave it an experimental lick, confirming that Bob was right about the exotic flavor—it wasn’t bad, but it was a strange combination.
    On their way back to work they walked faster than she would have liked, but they didn’t have time to dawdle.
    â€œThe phone hasn’t stopped ringing, Bob.” She paused to stifle her smile. Apparently there had been an ad in the help-wanted section of the newspaper. It had given her great pleasure to tell everyone that both positions had been filled. “Is it always like this? It hasn’t been when I’ve shopped before.”
    â€œIt never used to be this busy, but lately it has been. We hope with you here, it won’t be so hectic, and we can all go home at a decent time.”
    She would gladly have worked as many hours as they needed, but she never would be able to explain longer hours to her father, who was not exactly pleased that she’d found a