'I do,' Erika said, smiling a little wider. 'You're sweet.'

He smiled, a bit more easy now. "Well, now I'm at least at ease about that part. Though you do realize I'm not the only one getting a social life from it, right?" He smiled. "This is social therapy for both of us it seems, if you're as much a workaholic as you've made it sound you are."

'Not by choice,' Erika said. 'But yes, getting a social life would be nice.'

He smiled simply to her. "Yes, I know you don't get a choice if I start trying to spend more time with you, but you thought of it first- don't forget that." He grinned a silly grin, fighting a laugh of sorts from his own goofy behavior at that moment.

Erika giggled. It had been a while since she'd been like this with anyone. 'Anyway, I think we should get to the check-out now.'

"Hm, sounds fine with me. Just tell me where that is? I didn't actually notice it earlier."

'Over there, I think,' Erika said, pointing. She began going in that direction.

He looked in the direction she was pointing before following her. "Right with you."

Erika took her place in line, two customers down. She switched the basket to her other hand and drummed her fingers against her leg.

He held a hand out to offer help. "Want a break from carrying the basket?"

Erika smiled gently and handed it over. 'Thanks. Are you sure it's not a problem?'

"Not at all. I can handle it." He smiled, holding the basket soon after having it handed to him. He lifted it curiously, surprised by how light it was to him- then again, perhaps it wasn't so light either. He didn't really pay much heed either way.

Erika noticed his surprise. 'It's not that it's heavy,' she said. 'Just awkward to hold.'

"It doesn't feel at all awkward to me... Am I strange?" He looked at her curiously, still confused.

Erika giggled. 'It wasn't to me at first, either. I guess you just notice it after a while.'

"Well, I'll let you know if I notice it soon then." He smiled simply in response.

Erika smiled back. 'I can take it back when you do.'

"I'll be sure to let you know then, Erika. Thank you." Joe nodded in kind, still smiling as he waited for their turn to get to the register.

They moved up a place in line. 'I started reading that book you leant me,' Erika said.

"Oh. How is it? Are you finding it interesting so far?" He smiled at her curiously- he really did hope she liked it.

Erika smiled back. 'Yes, it is,' she said. 'Thank you for lending it to me.'

"I'm glad you like it." He couldn't help but mean that, either. He was truly glad. "Take your time with it, okay?"

Erika laughed slightly. 'I'm a naturally fast reader,' she said. 'I won't be able to help if I finish early.'

"That's fine. Just as long as you read at your own pace. I take a while reading sometimes, so I wouldn't be able to relate."

'My pace tends to be pretty fast-paced,' Erika said, grinning. 'Just a habit of mine.'