“It’s silver with palm trees on the back,” I answered. “How might I find her? Can she be reached by phone?”
“I don’t think so. Paige doesn’t have a cell phone.” Logan frowned. “Who doesn’t have a cell these days? It’s weird, right?”
“I can’t answer that, but I guess it’s true. Do you have an address?” I moved on.
“I don’t have access to that kind of information. I don’t even know who hires the Santas and elves,” Logan said. “Toby might since he’s the regular, but she’s the only elf that works at night. I think she was here tonight.”
“Oh man, she’s your elf from earlier, Ash,” Sawyer chuckled. “Such serendipity.”
“She’s real honest. If someone found a cell phone, she would turn it in,” Logan interrupted. “Just call the phone. Do you wanna use my office?”
“It’s fine, Logan. I’ll call it from my cell. Thanks for your help.” Sawyer pulled my arm. “Keep doing a good job.”
“That guy should have access to employee files in case someone doesn’t belong in the mall,” I growled. “I’ll be changing that.”
“Why are you getting so upset about a cell phone? You lose and break them all the time.” Sawyer stared at me. “This girl Paige might know about it. We can stop by and ask. Besides, if it’s your elf, then won’t you want to see her?”
“I’m expecting some calls,” I argued. “You’re right, though, nothing important.”
“He was just trying to help. You were being testy.” Sawyer shook his head at me. “What’s happening here? You don’t get mad at anything.”
“I don’t know. I’ve been on edge lately. I think not enough partying.” I walked along next to him. “You left me without a partner in crime. It’s not as much fun without you.”
“Aww, you miss me.” Sawyer made fun.
“Shut up,” I growled back. “You better still be able to go have fun now that you have a wifey.”
“I have a fiancée, not a wife, and I’ll still be me. I just won’t chase women with you anymore.” Sawyer threw his arm around my shoulder. “We can have a great bachelor party, though, and I’m still expecting you at the island all the time.”
“Get away from me with that mushy stuff.” I pushed his arm off me. “See, you have a girl now and you’re all mushy. It’s all over for you.”
Sawyer didn’t take anything I’d just said to heart. He knew better. I was just blowing off steam, but I’d been more agitated lately. I needed to figure out why. I was hoping that taking on the renovations of the chain of malls would be what I needed, because lounging on the island for a month wasn’t it.
“Hey, your mom just answered. She says she already had her assistant pick up everything so we can pick from it.” Sawyer laughed, “I told you she’d have it handled.”
“Yeah, she probably wrinkled her nose and the stuff just appeared.” I chuckled at my running joke. “I keep telling you, dude, she’s a witch.”
“Your mind would be blown if that came true,” Sawyer laughed.
Sawyer dialed my cell number, but it went straight to voicemail. He left a message as we climbed into the limo.
“I need to spend more time here in the mall. I’m gonna come back tomorrow, then I’ll meet you on the island to go over the drawings.” I surprised myself. “Don’t go getting all excited that I’m being serious. I just want the solar panels to do the job. It would be great if we can get all the malls running from solar.”
“I like how much you like this solar stuff. It’ll be great for the Hawthornes to be the first to do it, too,” Sawyer agreed. “So, you gonna get a hotel or take the plane back to your penthouse?”
“I’m gonna go back to the penthouse. I need to get my files and clothes to stay maybe a few days,” I added as I thought about it. “It’ll take you that long to do the drawings, plus I can be here to make sure things get moving tomorrow.”
“Would this, by any chance, have anything to do with the petite elf with the piercing blue eyes?” Sawyer prodded. “I mean, I get it, she was pretty, but are you sure?”
“Who’s being a snob now?” I demanded. “Jade isn’t wealthy.”
“Dude, I don’t care about money. You do, so that’s why I asked.” Sawyer leaned back in the seat. “Besides, she’s a red head. Not usually your thing. Lighten up.”
“See what I mean? This isn’t like me,” I groaned. “I’m just gonna bury myself in this project for a while and see what my problem is.”
Sawyer tried my cell a few more times with the same results. We reached the plane. In forty-five minutes we’d be back in Manhattan. I wanted to see August to go over some of my ideas that he was better at, and maybe I needed a little twin time. He always understood me.
“Can you text August that I need to see him tonight? Ask him if he’ll be in his penthouse,” I instructed Sawyer. “I don’t even know if he’s in the country this week.”