Samantha had been more professional in New York City, but when she moved to Lake Flannery, the sleepy town life had ruined that professionalism. She was, at the moment Teresa decided to finally talk to her, devouring her late breakfast: cottage cheese, a chopped organic pear mixed in. Teresa was a regular - she had been coming to the bookstore before Samantha had even started - and Samantha trusted her not to be offended by her eating. Still, she smiled sheepishly as she chewed, holding up one long finger to ask her to be patient for just one moment as she finished her bite.
"Sorry," she murmured, reaching for her paper towel. "I woke up late this morning." Samantha discreetly wiped her mouth to make sure that she wasn't a wreck and very gently set her food away from the computer. Really, she should have just eaten a bagel in the car, but her new years resolution was to eat more protein in the morning, and thus control her appetite for the rest of the day. "Netherland? I think we have a copy in the back. Would you like me to check for you? I have been shirking my duties, including stocking." At this, Samantha developed a full-on blush. It was more apparent to her how much she had changed now that she was saying it out loud.