I, Gabriel Novak, was the most bored human being in California as of that moment. I'd needed an easy summer job that year so I snagged the closest joint hiring, The Bunker. A tiny local bookstore on the corner of my street and Stanford University. It was occupied by the students for the most part, accommodating textbooks about every subject under the sun and then some.

It was pretty cool at first, cute college students going in and out all day for me to flirt with, but, much to my displeasure, this was the hottest recorded summer in San Jose history. No one but me and my coworker/ex/best friend Kali had entered the little shop in almost two weeks. And I was bored out of my mind!

I was known throughout the campus as "The Trickster" because I hated bullies, hated them, and was more often than not inclined to give them their 'just desserts'. In other words, I pulled ironic pranks on dicks. But what was a prankster to do with no one to prank?!

Kali and I grew tired of each other's company very quickly. We had had a little fling when I started working there that spring but I'm pretty sure we both knew it wasn't serious because we got along great after we called it quits. Kali was a fierce Indian goddess of a woman who didn't take shit from anyone, we rarely agreed on anything but she thought I was cute and charming, at least that's why I think she didn't hate me.

I looked at the clock, 10:32 it read, and groaned dismally. God, this day could not get any duller! It wasn't even noon and the temperature had already hit 100 degrees. At least The Bunker had AC, I would have expired a long time ago if I had to work in the inferno outside. Kali was in the back doing… something, I wasn't sure. She had some weird hobbies.

Just as I was thinking about offing myself for entertainment, the bell on the door chimed, alerting me of my first costumer in two hellish weeks. I swept the unsightly pile of candy wrappers off the counter and muted the TV. I looked down briefly to smooth out my rumpled shirt, trying to look less disheveled, before looking up to see… a rather broad chest. And I continued to look up until my gaze was met by an incredibly hot (both literally and complimentary if his sweat and audible breathing were anything to go by) young man.

The guy was sweating like an animal, presumably from the infernal heatwave raging outside, despite his tight tank top and running shorts, but that didn't stop my stupid, sexed up brain from going Hot Damn Boy! And forcing me to restrain a wolf whistle. He had shaggy brown hair and bangs that covered his forehead in a boyish style that he somehow managed to completely pull off. He also had brown, no wait, they were green, dammit, hazel eyes that looked down at me innocently, radiating kindness. He was also massively tall, 6' 3" at least! He wasn't ripped like a football jock but he was clearly very fit and his current attire left very little to the imagination. Said boy was talking.

I blinked rapidly and shut my gaping mouth.

"I'm sorry, what?" I asked dumbly. Yep, way to go, Gabe, make him think you're slow in the head. Good job.

The guy just chuckled good naturedly and repeated himself.

"I need pre-law textbooks. Do you have any?" he asked again.

I couldn't believe this guy, a lawyer?! The cutest guy I've ever seen in my life was a law student?!

"Uh, yeah. Yes, just over there." I said as I pointed him in the correct direction, amazed I had the brain power to remember their location.

"Thanks." He nodded and turned to leave before pausing, turning back to look at me, stunning me back into silence with his indefinably pretty eyes.

"I'm Sam by the way." He stated coyly with a little smile.

I blinked before finding my voice.

"Oh. I'm Gabe. Gabriel. Novak. Gabriel Novak. Gabriel Loki Novak." I blurted before snapping my mouth shut with a clack. Oh shit! Real smooth, asshole, I mentally berated myself. I was never usually this nervous, I was used to being Mr. Innuendo, smooth talking my way into peoples' pants, far and wide. Figures I'd lose my touch now.

Sam laughed again, grinning wide and flashing adorable dimples I hadn't previously noticed. I felt my ears turn pink in embarrassment before he stuck out his hand for me to shake.

"Well, it's nice to meet you Gabriel Loki Novak." He said humorously as I shook his hand quickly.

And if my breath hitched when he said my whole name, that was nobody's business but my own.

I managed a nervous smile in his direction before he made his way to the other side of the store and out of sight. Once alone I slumped heavily into the chair I had recently vacated and let out a long sigh. I needed sugar. My sweet tooth (addiction) never failed to calm me down.

I took a Snickers bar out of the display and couldn't help but smirk a little as I ate it, thinking about a certain silly boy who got me all flustered. Thank God Kali hadn't seen that.

And as if God Himself had heard my thoughts, she chose that moment to clear her throat behind me and I spun around gracefully to face her.

"Well, think of the Devil. What's up, Kali?" I quipped cheerily, still chewing my chocolate snack.

She raised an eyebrow and smirked but remained silent as she shrugged and flicked her eyes in the direction Sam had gone.

I sobered up quickly as I blushed slightly and mumbled a disgruntled, "Shut up." Which only incited her to smile more in her knowing way and chuckle in amusement. I would never hear the end of this.

I spun away from her as I tossed the candy wrapper and scrubbed my hands down my face, trying futilely to remove my humiliation directly. I needed to shave, too hot for beards.

I stood hastily when I saw Sam approaching with a stack of books. He dropped them on the counter and puffed out his chest from the effort in such a way I needed to place my hands on the countertop to keep my knees from giving out under me. He was sporting another one of those smiles as he tossed his head to the side to flick his hair out of his eyes. The sexy bastard.

I don't know how I found the strength to tear my eyes away from him and start ringing the books up. I cleared my throat, trying to think of something to say.

"So, pre-law, huh?" I asked curiously, trying to start a conversation.

"Yeah, it's my first year, actually." He explained as he gazed at the vast display of candy behind me. Not to brag but it was pretty impressive, honestly. It had every major brand of teeth-rotting goodness sold in the country.

"Huh, you don't look much like a lawyer to me." I teased. See? I am, in fact, not a total jackass.

"Oh? Well, what do I look like?" he flirted back easily, resting his forearms on the counter and leaning towards me.

"Hmm, I don't know…" a model, an angel, a fucking god? "A few inches taller and a pair of antlers and you'd make a pretty convincing moose." I joked. He actually reminded me of a moose a little, a super hot, adorably, funny moose.

He laughed heartily at the jab and ducked his head bashfully.

"Yeah? What's it to yah, short stack?" he reciprocated cleverly.

I had to laugh at that, I was incredibly short in comparison. 5'10" actually, and it really wasn't fair to a 26 year old.

I chuckled again when I looked up at him as I handed him his receipt and purchase. I was actually in awe, you can't be cute, smart, and funny. It's not fair to the rest of us mere mortals. We were both smiling when he handed me the cash, letting our hands linger in contact a second longer than necessary.

"I'll see you later, Gabe." He waved as he backed out of the store smoothly. I wore a smile for the rest of the day even though we didn't get a single other customer. I couldn't even be bothered by Kali's taunts. I was still grinning ear to ear when I left that night.