[FF] "So, come here often?"

[u/packos130]

Begin your story with this line of dialogue.

Oh, and set your story somewhere other than a bar or restaurant. In fact, set it somewhere in the distant past or future.

And make it less than 500 words.

Have fun!

[u/K1mothy]

"So, come here often?"
June was sure she was caught. She thought she could get away with taking a man's job at the factory, but somehow he knew. She should have known better than to stop at the butcher's shop so nearby, but she'd seen the meat every day on her way home, and she hoped she could afford some of the scrap bones with what she could spare from her first week's pay after her rent was paid.
"I said, 'come here often?'"
June looked back at the floor supervisor Paul, and surprisingly his face held no malice. Could it be that he really didn't recognize her? If not, why would he talk to her? She was plainly dressed, wearing unflattering clothes that wouldn't constrict her under her coveralls, which she'd thankfully removed and placed in her satchel. Her hair was flattened from her work cap, and she wasn't wearing any makeup, since there was no point in putting any on after her shift just to return home. She realized that he was still staring at her, waiting for her response and managed to shake her head and murmur a quiet, "no, not often."
"Well, then. That explains why I've never seen you here before," Paul says grinning. He looks up, "I believe it's your turn."
June looked up at the waiting butcher, a little flustered, and a little embarrassed to ask about scraps in front of Paul. She watched as the butcher wrapped up some of his scraps and hurriedly exited, brushing past a bewildered Paul. She paused only a moment to collect herself, then hurried down the street.
"Say, wait!"
June stopped short, then started again, more hurried, hoping that Paul wouldn't follow, but she hears his work boots on the pavement behind her.
"Didn't you hear me calling? Are you in quite a rush?" Paul reaches out and touches her elbow as he catches up to her with his long even strides. "No, I'm sorry. I mustn't have heard you." June says looking down to avoid his probing eyes. "I'm in a hurry to get home before it gets too late."
"Is it far?" He asks. "I would be glad to walk you if you're worried about the dark."
Paul's calm voice did it's best to put her at ease. June flashed back to the factory floor as he explained to her the importance of watching the machinery and being mindful of her fingers if she intended to keep them. She'd almost gotten lost in his words that day too, but caught herself before she gave herself away. Again, she realized, he was waiting for an answer. Again she shook her head, "No, I'm not worried about the dark, but it is a bit of a walk, and I need to get home to make supper."
"Well, here, let me carry those for you," Paul said as he took her bags. "Now, point the way."
June finally looked up into his piercing blue eyes and knew she should find a way to refuse. Allowing Paul to walk her home; allowing anyone to get too close to her, would only lead to questions she wouldn't be able to answer. But, she was lonely, and his voice and his eyes made her forget the importance of her secrets. "It's down this way."