Free Dex by Sheri Lynn Fishbach Page B

and grilled vegetables on a platter.
     
    “That looks great.”
     
    “Thanks, it’s a work in progress.”
     
    Those words buzzed in Alicia’s head and she suddenly jumped up and rushed out of the room.
     
    “Where are you going?” Dex was now talking to the air.
     
    Moments later Alicia returned with Poppy’s movie camera and began filming Dex’s preparations.
     
    “Dex, you really are a genius. Don’t pay any attention to me. Just keep working. Like I’m not here.” Alicia toyed with the camera’s control panel.
     
    “But you are here.”
     
    “I know! You’re my documentary.” Alicia was filming him at every angle.
     
    “I am? Okay. I guess that’s kinda cool.”
     
    Unsure of how to work the camera, Alicia caught Dex in an extreme close-up. She accidentally zoomed into his ears, his nostrils, and his mouth while he was taste-testing his spinach dip. By the time Alicia figured out how to use the buttons, Dex was hauling the wheelbarrow onto the lawn to set up for the morning shift.
     
    “Damn! The battery’s dead. Good thing I just saw a new one in the attic. Don’t move.”
     
    Dex froze in place playfully for a few seconds as Alicia dashed into the house. He was setting up sandwiches when someone unfamiliar approached him.
     
    “How ya doin’ mate?” said an Australian accent. “I’m not even sure if I’m in the right place.” He looked at a hand-scribbled note. “I’m looking for a store called ‘Dex-something?’ My uncle sent me...to pick up a sandwich?”
     
    “Who’s your uncle?”
     
    “Clive Kent. He works in construction.”
     
    “You have the right address,” Dex nodded. “Clive gets the sliced ham and cheddar with minced apricot and mustard glaze on a Kaiser roll.” Dex prepared his order.
     
    “Tell your uncle today’s cookie is chocolate cherry chip. It’ll make his day.”
     
    Jazz walked off to the side, took out his cell phone and texted the message. He was facing away from the house when Alicia came back ready to work. She had just begun to film when her camera caught another face in the frame.
     
    “Hey there!” Jazz’s eyes widened.
     
    “Whoa! Hi!” Alicia yelped in shock and quickly turned off the camera. “I totally wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
     
    “Ditto,” Jazz chuckled. “So, why are you here?”
     
    Dex gave Alicia a quick wink the moment he saw her blush. He started helping customers as a small line formed and was hoping Kyle would show up before the crowd got too busy for him to handle on his own.
     
    Alicia couldn’t contain her embarrassment. “Here?” she giggled nervously and pointed to Dex. “He’s my brother. And, and usually, I’m Dex’s sister with my hair down loose and wavy, wearing jeans, and—and-- really cool eyeliner.”
     
    “Oh, well no worries.” He looked her over. “You’re quite lovely.”
     
    “Thank you,” Alicia gushed.
     
    “Your camera-”
     
    “I know. It’s old. It was my grandfather’s.”
     
    “I was going to say it’s amazing. My Uncle Clive gave me one that looks just like it.” He went to take the camera from her. “May I?” He examined it and gave it back to her. “They sure don’t make them like they used to.”
     
    “You’re so right.”
     
    “Since you’re filming, my guess is you’ve found your idea for class.”
     
    Dex finished serving the last customer a lot sooner than he had anticipated. He walked over to see what his sister was doing and wasn’t very surprised to see her still talking to the guy. “Dex, I was just about to tell Jazz that you’re my project.”
     
    “Yup. That’s me,” Dex sighed. “A project.”
     
    “A superior one.” Alicia said proudly. “I’m going to film my brother building his gourmet foods empire.”
     
    “Yeah, like Caesar, but with better dressing,” Dex quipped. “Why would he care?”
     
    Alicia gave him a look that warned shut up just in case he was going to take his questions too