Okay, now I’m being delusional about men I don’t even know. But, man, are they cute. I can’t decide which one is more attractive, although I prefer longer hair, so I’d have to choose Asher.“What do you think? Will your mother like these?” I pointed to the screen. “I’m giving you the full package complimentary after that mess that happened.”
“I’ll take the full package, but I’ll pay for it. It was an accident.” Asher laughed with Sawyer. “I’m giving one to the whole family.”
“It would make my day if you told me that cameras somewhere caught that whole thing.” Sawyer glanced around for a camera.
“No, I don’t think they have cameras in this mall.” I went behind the counter to prep the photos in envelopes. “I can ask. If you have a number, I could call and let you know, or have security call you.”
“Really, no cameras?” Sawyer said.
I watched them looking around. I assumed for cameras. I figured they didn’t believe me. I finished the transaction, then ran around to the other side to hold up the candy cane bucket.
“Everyone gets a candy cane, especially if they were good boys,” I joked. “If you change your mind about telling Santa what you want, just stop back by.”
And now I’m practically inviting them back. Smile and wave goodbye.
“I’ll pass on the candy cane. I think I had plenty. Goodbye, Santa’s helper. We had fun.” Asher said.
“I’ll call mall security about cameras. Thanks for the help, though,” Asher smiled.
“Merry Christmas.”
Chapter 2
ASher
“Are you going to the manor this weekend to see Kellan’s and Poppy’s baby?” I asked Sawyer.
“Yeah, plus your mother wants to talk wedding plans. I keep telling her to talk to Jade when she gets back from seeing her dad,” Sawyer complained. “Are you going?”
“Yeah, and I need to get a gift for the baby, but what do you buy for a week-old baby girl?” I asked. “Then again, what do you buy for a newborn baby?”
“No idea. I was just gonna have my assistant buy something,” Sawyer said. “Wait. What am I thinking? I’ll ask Jade.”
“She is a girl, she’ll probably know.” I patted Sawyer on the back. “You have to think like a man with a wife now, man.”
“I should just ask Mia. She’s pregnant, so maybe she’ll know what babies need.” Sawyer nodded in thought. “Of course, your mom would know, too. You should ask her.”
“I was gonna ask Murphy, but she won’t have a clue. She’d probably buy a diamond necklace or something like that.” I laughed at the ridiculous notion. “You’re right. I’ll ask my mom, then have someone go get it.”
“You are so lazy. It should be a gift you picked yourself.” Sawyer shook his head at me. “Look, we’re in a mall, there has to be something here.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll text my mother for both of us.” I reached for my cell in my back pocket. “Shoot, where’s my phone?”
I started the frantic body pat down, pulled my pant pockets inside out, and checked all my jacket pockets another four or five times.
“Maybe you left it in the limo. I’ll call the driver.” Sawyer took his cell out. “Actually, I haven’t seen you use your cell since the plane.”
We started walking the mall corridors. We were there for a meeting with Johnny, the Hawthorne engineer. He’d asked me to take a look at the chain of malls the Hawthornes had purchased for the purpose of revamping the design. We walked through the mall, each pointing out things that needed to change. I’d brought Sawyer along with me because, even though we were both architects, we had very different ideas, and we’d worked well with each other in the past.
“I was just thinking, maybe you dropped your cell when you let that pretty little elf knock you flat on your back,” Sawyer teased. “And don’t act like you didn’t notice her blue eyes against her red hair.”
I smiled ear to ear. “Yeah, I think we do need to stop back by Santa’s workshop.”
“She works in a mall as Santa’s helper. Isn’t that beneath you?” Sawyer chirped. “I’m gonna guess she’s not rich or famous.”
“No, probably not, but she was really pretty.” I wagged my eyebrows. “No harm in a little fun.”
“No, Ash, there is harm in it. You can’t just treat women as objects of your affection and, then toss them when you get bored.” Sawyer pointed to the office door we had reached. “Especially when they’re not society girls. It’s too mean. There’s something wrong with you.”