Love Was Never Going to Be a Friendly Game

Chapter 1: Same Departments

Before they became husband and wife, they were rivals.

When she first arrived at the department store, she already had a clear idea of the kind of man she did not like. He fit it almost perfectly.

He had been working there longer, which meant he moved through the building with the ease of someone who knew every department, every shortcut, and every unofficial rule. He knew which doors stuck in humid weather and which supervisor could be persuaded to overlook a late break. To her, that confidence looked suspiciously like arrogance.

He noticed her dislike almost immediately.

It would have been difficult not to.

Whenever he offered advice, she thanked him with the strained politeness of someone being handed instructions she had never requested. If he mentioned that his section had surpassed its weekly target, she found a reason to point out that her section had done the same with fewer employees. When he spoke as if experience had made him an authority, she responded as if competence did not require his approval.

They worked in separate sections, but the store was not large enough to contain two people that competitive without producing sparks.

If his department completed a display before opening, hers would create something more attractive by lunch. If her section received praise from management, he would suddenly discover a way to improve his own numbers. Their rivalry was never formally announced. It simply developed, one small challenge at a time.

“Not bad,” he might say while passing one of her displays.

“Thank you,” she would answer. “We finished it yesterday.”