Oh my God! Did I just admit that to myself?
It was evening now and the line for Santa pictures stayed busy until closing. Mid-evening, I saw that guy Asher walk by with a stunning brunette. They were laughing and whispering. He hadn’t been back since the incident, nor had he reported me. Thankfully, he seemed physically alright, so he wasn’t hurt. I loved looking at his long hair. He was quite the contradiction- all serious clothing, then long hair.
Stop daydreaming about this guy. He’s good-looking, but he likes girls like the one he is with.
Santa Eddie stood and did some stretching while I turned off the snow machine. I left the music on, pulled my purse out of the cabinet, and went over to relax by the fireplace that was still on. Toby would be by soon and I knew he’d let me enjoy it until most of the shops closed.
“I decided I’m staying here until they make me leave,” Kim said as she plopped down on the couch next to me. “This feels so nice. I could sleep right here.”
“I know. Last night I actually fell asleep and Toby had to wake me up.” We both laughed. “Remember that guy I knocked over a few weeks ago? You know, the one I worried about getting me fired?”
“Yeah, the cute one with the long hair and sexy dimples.” Kim fanned her face. “Why do you ask?”
“I saw him here again today. He was with a really fancy and beautiful woman.” I put my feet up on the couch next to me. “I was wondering where he works.”
“I don’t know, but I’ll bet Toby knows,” Kim said.
“Toby knows what?” Toby said from behind us.
“She thought you would know who that guy is that’s here a lot.” I paused. “Never mind, there are a lot of guys in this mall a lot.”
“What’s he look like?” Toby came around and stood in front of us. “Which store does he work in?”
“That’s just it. I’ve never seen him go into a store but he’s in the mall a lot,” I said. “He’s probably just a shopper.”
“Yeah, sure. Some guy in a suit is here several times a week just shopping.” Kim made fun.
“What’s he look like?” Toby asked again. “I may know him.”
“Tall, long hair, and dimples.” Kim answered for me. “Real sexy.”
“Nah, don’t know anyone like that,” Toby cringed. “Gotta finish my rounds, ladies.”
“Toby, you gonna come back and have hot chocolate?” I called out to him.
Toby gave me a thumbs up and kept going. I pushed myself up off the couch.
“I’m going to get the hot chocolate. You want one, too?” I kicked Kim’s foot to wake her up. “You gotta drive home, don’t get too tired.”
“I’ll come with you to get the hot chocolate.” Kim moaned and groaned getting up. “I have to be back here first thing in the morning. I wish I could just sleep here instead of battling that snow.”
“I know what you mean.” I avoided eye contact in case my face gave me away. “Looks like they brought in decorations for that new tree but didn’t put them on again.”
“Someone will no doubt decorate it overnight like the other trees,” Kim yawned. “I think I’ll get mine to go. I’m pretty tired.”
Kim stood chatting with me while she drank her hot chocolate. We were both avoiding leaving, but for different reasons. We had been discussing another get-together, or doing our movie night here at the mall, when Asher and the brunette walked by.
“Isn’t that him?” Kim nudged me. “You’re right, she is pretty. Not as pretty as you, though.”
“Look how classy she is. She fits with how he dresses.” I pointed to her shoes. “Those shoes cost more than my car. How do I compete in an elf outfit?”
“Maybe she’s a relative. They’re not holding hands or anything.” Kim shrugged, then put her gloves on. “I gotta make a run for it. I hate going into the parking lot alone.”
I walked over to the burger place. Brad had a bag already prepared for me. I thanked him and slowly walked back to the fireplace to wait for Toby. I looked around to make sure he wasn’t nearby, then pulled the cell out.
“I looked at new cases today. I’m gonna go with a holiday theme.”
“Hey, Apple. Holiday theme sounds good. What’s on it?”