9:00PM. The men’s department at Barney’s had lost the days commotion. It was finally quiet and peaceful. People were leaving the store. Other departments were closing their lights and counting their drawers but Hazel was specially told to keep hers open. Apparently, some big shot celebrity was supposed to be coming in a few minutes. She rolled her eyes at the way this store treated the rich and famous. They’d make exceptions to all the rules and treat them like royalty. These people would come in hours after closing time. They’d usually have an entire entourage with them as they browsed through the empty store at their own leisure, not giving a damn about inconveniencing the employees who would rather be home after their already exhausting 9 hour shifts. Other than the commission, the only other upside was watching the higher ups acting like starstruck children following them around at their beck and call. It was amusing to watch but still not worth the extra time on her feet.

The rest of the store soon cleared out. Hazel watched as her manager paced back and forth in front of her register anxiously awaiting this mystery man. She could see his eyes moving quickly, double and triple checking to make sure all of the suits were displayed properly and shirts folded neatly on the tables. The hint of an entertained smile crept across her lips as she watched him run to the back room to grab bottles of water for the guest but she’d had enough. This guy was nowhere to be found yet so this was her chance to run to the restroom.

“Hey Alan, I’ll be right back!”

She yelled into the back room. The quick shuffling of footsteps was heard behind the door, followed by the sounds of bottles dropping on the floor. She chuckled at his clumsiness before the door was swung open by the frantic man.

“Where are you going? They could be here any minute!”

“I need to pee, Alan. I’m sure they’ll understand.”

“Can’t you hold it?”

“Listen, I’ve been here since 11 and I’ve been holding it since my lunch break at 5. I need to go.”

“Fine, hurry back!”

He waved her off in an irritated huff before returning back behind the door. Once again Hazel rolled her eyes and made her way to the back of the store where the employee restrooms were. After saying a quick hello to the loss prevention guys, she was finally able to finish her business then quickly washed her hands and took a look at herself in the mirror. There was always such a drastic change from clock in to clock out. She’d come in polished and fresh faced but by the end of the day it would all fade. Wetting her hands in the sink, she smoothed the frizz in her long chestnut hair and brushed her eyelashes up with her fingers to try to get some life back into her eyes.

If she didn’t need this job so badly she would definitely tell all of these people off and leave, but sadly that wasn’t the case. With a look heavy sigh, she adjusted her skirt and walked back out to the floor. She could hear manager’s footsteps pitter-pattering all over the floor followed by the voice of her store manager talking to someone else. Quickly she turned the corner to slip behind the register like she’d never left.

As the voices grew closer, her eyes caught sight of a golden blonde hair over one of the tall racks of suits. As much as she resented this person for keeping her here, her curiosity got the best of her and she leaned over to try and see who it was.

“Ah, there you are!”

The store manager’s voice rang out making her straighten instantly. Hazel plastered a smile onto her face, as the two men approached her.

“Mr. Hunnam here needs a suit for a special event tomorrow night.”

“Charlie, please.”

The sun kissed man, spoke up. His english accent further consuming all of her attention. This was Charlie Hunnam. Jesus Christ. This man looked even better in person. She knew he was good looking, but to see him in person was a whole other experience. His slender physique towered over her. The sweet smell of his cologne captivating her senses. His hair was swept back, exposing the deep blue in his eyes. From this close she could even see the flecks of silver in them. His clothes perfectly emphasizing his broad shoulders and muscular figure. Shit… she was staring.

Quickly pulling herself together, she came around the counter to stand in front of him. Regardless of how cute he was, this night needed to be over. “Let’s start off with color. What did you have in mind?”

“Why don’t we pull together some options for Mr. Hunnam and let him decide.”

Theo intervened. Hazel looked up at him and nodded, taking a few steps back before she heard Charlie’s voice again.

“Oh I think I can manage to take a look myself. No need for everyone to be running around. I’m sure she can answer any questions I come across.”

The weight of his stare making it hard for her to keep a straight face. She looked at Theo who was also staring down at her and shrugged her shoulders.

“Well you’ll be in good hands.”

He finally spoke up before turning to walk off the floor, pulling Alan with him. She watched as the two whispered hastily between each other before disappearing behind the doors, knowing they would be watching from the cameras in loss prevention.

“I didn’t catch your name.”

“Hazel. I’ll let you look around. Just let me know if you need anything.”

She took a few more steps back, to walk towards her counter before he finally spoke up again.

“Hazel. That’s a beautiful name. Just like your eye color.”

Stopping in her tracks, she turned to look back at him, taken aback by the compliment. She wasn’t really sure how to react but she felt the burning of her cheeks coming from within and instantly knew that she was  blushing hard but yet she couldn’t control it. Lowering her gaze momentarily, she cleared her throat to regain her composer. What was wrong with her right now?

“Thanks…thank you.”

She nodded, moving a loose strand of hair from her face. His eyes still focused on hers. There was something so dark and sexy about it all. Like she was his sole focus. He just smirked, giving her a nod before going off to look through the department.

A few minutes went by before she heard her name being called by that sexy British accent again. Taking a quick peek at the click,she sighed before making her way over. He was standing by the fitting rooms holding a few different sports coats and pants in his arms. Unable to stop the eye roll, she opened one of the doors for him. The thought of staying even later to put those away was dampening her mood even further.

“Thanks darling.” He smirked before going in. “Mind hanging around, I’ll need a second opinion.”

Hazel looked at the pile of clothes before shrugging her shoulders. At least watching a beautiful man try on clothes would be more entertaining than doing nothing. With a nod, she took a seat outside the room and he made his way in.

“Not to sound nosey or anything, but don’t you guys have outfits ready way before the actual event?”

“Sort of, but this is a tad less formal. It’s for my mum’s birthday tomorrow. We flew her here yesterday for the weekend.I just landed and my luggage got delayed. Now I’ve got nothing for her party.”

“Oh, that would explain why you’re here at this time.”

“Yeah, hate to do this to you.”

“Well, you have better reasoning than others that just like to have the store to themselves.”
He came out a minute later in a dark pair of pants, and a crisp white button up.and she couldn’t help but bite her lip at the view. He looked good, there was no denying that.

“What do you think?”

“It’s missing something.”

She stood from the chair and walked over to one of the racks of clothing, pulling a black sports coat off of a hanger and standing behind him to help him slip it on. The muscles moving under his shirt caught her attention until he turned to face her, his face only inches from hers. His eyes landing on hers and she could feel the temperature rising in her body. His warmth radiated against her and the urge to close that short distance grew greater. Looking down, she bit her lip and immediately took a step back.

“There you go.”

She said, as nonchalantly as she could. This was totally unprofessional. She couldn’t let herself get carried away with this. Maybe he was flirting, but so what? That’s all it could be.

“You’re not just saying that because you want to get outta here are you?”

She laughed lightly and shook her head. “No. No you really do look nice.”

Charlie turned to face her again, crossing his arms over his chest. That same, confident smirk reappearing onto his lips.  “Well, looks like I won’t have to waste anymore of your time trying on the rest.”

“We’ll that’s a shame.” She smiled, standing up to make her way into the room. “Let me put the rest of this away while you get changed. Meet me at the register when you’re done.”

Walking into the room, she felt his hand on the small of her back. There was nothing sexual about it. Just an innocent touch and she was ready to melt. What the fuck was happening to her right now?

Quickly grabbing the rest of the hangers, she walked out the room and took a deep breath. “Pull yourself together Hazel. What is the matter with you.” She whispered to herself before she began to put everything away.

“Ready when you are.”

His voice spoke up again, coming around the corner. With a smile, she lead him to the register and punched in her number before starting to scan his clothes.

“Thanks.” He smiled, pulling his wallet out of the back pocket of his jeans. His eyes not once leaving hers. “Can’t imagine you wanted to stay this late.”

“Well, it was my pleasure Mr. Hunnam. You were one of the more pleasant clients I’ve had to work with.”

“Like I said, call me Charlie. Mr. Hunnam reminds me of my dad.”

Hazel laughed softly as she folded the button up carefully in tissue paper and placing it in the bag. “Okay, Charlie” She smiled, placing a garment bag over the blazer and pants. “You’re all set.”

Taking the bags from her, a hint of disappointment came through in his smile. She came around the counter and stood in front of him. “Anything else I can help you with?”

He looked down at his bags, then at her, hesitating a moment before shaking his head. “No. I think I’m all set.”

She nodded, motioning her hand towards the door as she walked him out. “Well, I hope everything goes well tomorrow. Tell your mother the sales associate at Barney’s said happy birthday.”

He chuckled and gave her a small nod. “It was really great meeting you Hazel.”

“You too, Charlie. Drop by next time you’re in the city.”

“It’ll be my first stop.”

He winked at her before making his way out the door. Hazel watched and bit the corner of her lip. What just happened? Charlie Hunnam just walked in and she was pretty sure he openly flirted with her. She couldn’t say she minded, in fact it was the highlight of her year. Definitely worth the extra time, but now it was back to her boring old life.

He would go on about his fabulous life. Her face would blend in with the many others who would die for the chance she just got. Okay, maybe die was a drastic word but it seemed pretty accurate with the crowds of fan-girls that he had. Now she would go back to her studio apartment in Brooklyn, grab herself a pizza on the way, and sit in front of her TV before she had to start all over the next day.