As we drew closer to the building, where the crowds of people were denser and the Christmas music was audible and the scents of pine and cinnamon drifted through the air, Reese’s smile grew.When we were teenagers, she loved the mall.She was going to be the next Debbie Gibson.When we’d hang out here, she had an entire plan.
“Where to first?”Brandon asked as we stepped inside.
Reese stared at him blankly, as if she didn’t understand.
I slipped my free hand into Brandon’s.“There’s no list,” I said.“We wander until we’re done.”
“It’s almost like you’re not a mall person.”Reese steered the three of us like the pro she was, around other groups and individuals.
I already knew that about Brandon, but even after all these years it was weird to me that there were people who hadn’t spent their teenage years living at the mall the way Reese and I did.
“Fine.”Brandon’s huff was exaggerated.“Show me how to do this mousy mall thing.”
I snorted.“Mall rat?”
“Yeah.That.”
“I think Danny already summed it up pretty well.We wander, we go into the shops that look neat, we eat cheap pizza, and if we’re feeling rich we splurge on cookies and coffee drinks.”
“So this is about overpriced mall food?”Brandon asked.“I’ll buy you cookies if you want cookies.”
I tugged them toward a shop with all sorts of novelty items.“Come on, Reverse Santa.Experiencing it is much different than hearing it explained.”
“Mhm.”Brandon didn’t sound convinced, but he followed us anyway.
We made our way from store to store, and with each new destination, Reese’s mood brightened more.
A Christmas themed shop came into view as we rounded a corner, and Reese squealed.“There.”I pointed.
Brandon’s sigh was audible over the crowds.
“Come on, Scrooge.”I pulled him along with us.
Brandon clucked.“I take exception to that.I have no problem spending money.I’m far more of a Grinch.”
“You’d steal all the presents from the Whos down in Whoville?”Reese asked in mock horror.
Brandon rolled his eyes.“No.But I would rather stay at home with my puppy than sing carols with the crowds.”He tugged the short strands of my hair enough to pull my head back and steal a kiss.
This was better than good.Reese was acting like herself, so was Brandon, and I was blissful between the two of them.
The Christmas shop was comfort wrapped in warmth.Gorgeous ornaments from around the world decorated trees and shelves, the entire place smelled faintly of cookies and coffee, and the music was tacky and delightful.I loved it all.
As we wandered through the displays, even Brandon stopped to admire some of the art and craftsmanship.
“Careful your heart doesn’t melt,” I teased.
He brushed his lips over mine again.“Too late.”
Yup.Perfect.
Reese led us toward a display at the far end of the shop that featured a full-blown Christmas village.She’d always wanted a setup like this, but they were expensive and took up space.A few years ago, I’d tried to convince her to buy a house at a time, and leave the whole thing at our place, but she’d refused.
“Isn’t it stunning?”Her smile hadn’t faded since we got here.
“What lights them?”Brandon asked.
I picked up the nearest box and read the back.“Two AA batteries.”