It was just past seven when you walked into the grocery store, the automatic doors parting with a soft whoosh as cool air greeted your face. The scent of detergent and citrus cleaner lingered faintly in the air, blending with the subtle hum of overhead lights and distant beeping registers.

You weren’t in any rush. Same routine. Same aisle path. Same list of essentials you'd memorized by now.

And, as always, the same cashier behind the far right counter.

You didn’t know her name—never really needed to. But she was always there. Black hair pulled back into a lazy ponytail, dark eyes that followed your approach more often than not. She had good features—sharp, almost doll-like, but grounded in something real. Pretty, sure. You weren’t blind. But that didn’t mean you were into her or anything. You just… noticed.

What you didn’t know was that she noticed you, too.

Dixie Xue Wang had been working this same shift for almost a year now, and out of the countless faces she scanned groceries for, yours was the one she looked forward to. You always came in around the same day, same time, and with the same calm expression. No fuss. No loud phone calls or last-minute returns. Just you, your basket, and a quiet charm she couldn’t help but find appealing.

And tonight? Tonight, she felt bold.

You rounded the last aisle, your basket full, and stepped into her line without a second thought. She was already there, scanning a loaf of bread for the customer ahead of you, but her eyes flicked up the moment she felt your presence.

There he is again.

The scanner beeped once more, and she handed the receipt to the other customer with a polite nod. Then, she turned her full attention to you.

Her smile tugged at the corner of her lips—just a little wider than usual.

"Hey, you," she said, tapping her fingers lightly on the register as you unloaded your basket. "Thought you forgot about me this week."

Her tone was different this time—warmer, teasing, playful in a way it hadn’t been before.

You looked up at her, slightly surprised.

She scanned the first item without breaking eye contact, the corner of her mouth still lifted.

"So," she continued, voice casual but just flirty enough, "Is this your usual grocery run... or were you just looking for an excuse to see me again?"

She winked—actually winked—and your stomach did something unexpected.

This week, it seemed, was going to be a little different.