Maybe it runs in the family.
“Okay.”
She’s being nice because of Santa and nuggies. I’m not offended. Of course, the tickles helped.
“I love you, Auntie Noah.”
Ainsley has never been able to pronounce my name right. I’m not sure if she hears it differently, or if she just likes calling me Noah instead of Noelle. Honestly, I don’t mind. It’s adorable.
“I love you tons and tons. Bushels and bushels,” I reply, like I have a hundred times before.
“To the moon and back,” she replies without missing a beat.
“To infinity.” I tap her on the end of her nose. “All my love forever.”
It takes almost an hour for me to get her ready, warm up the car, drive to the mall, park, and finally enter the upper level. Half the mall is outdoors, and we won’t be walking around in this weather. The rest are two levels with a high ceiling that’s made ofsteel beams and glass panes. The snow has covered the roof, and none of the sky is visible as I glance up.
“There’s so many lights,” Ainsley points out as I notice the holiday décor. The mall never skimps on the decorations. Every year, it’s festive and twinkling, inviting visitors to shop for the holidays, stop at the food court, listen to the live piano music, or grab a hot beverage to ward off the chilly weather.
“Nuggies?” Ainsley asks as I stuff her mittens and hat into my backpack before I hold her hand.
I always bring a backpack with essentials like disinfecting wipes, a spare outfit for Ainsley, a bottle of water, and one of her stuffed animals. In a crisis, I could end up needing all of it. Learned my lesson the hard way a few years ago when I took her to the zoo, and she didn’t make it to the bathroom, had a meltdown, and smeared chocolate all over my favorite sweater. Not that I blame her for any of it since she was only two at the time, but I know better than to tempt fate.
Preparation ensures we both enjoy our outings.
“Yes. We’ll eat first and then visit Santa.” The sign by the display says he’s set to return after 3 p.m., and it’s only 1. I’ve got plenty of time for lunch before we get in line to meet the big jolly elf.
Ainsley pulls me toward the Chick-fil-A, and I get in the long line, noting that it’s moving fast. This won’t take long. I feel a tug on my shirt and glance down at my niece. “What is it?”
She points to our left to a group of men huddled together around several tables. They’re all wearing leather vests and jeans. There’s a logo on the back of their black vests that I don’t recognize. It has a snake, with the words “Summit Hill” above and “Vipers” below.
A motorcycle gang? Are they called gangs? Or clubs? I don’t know the correct term.
“Are they bad guys?”
I’m not one to pass judgment before I’ve met someone, so I don’t know how to answer. Are the men intimidating? Yes. Nearly all of them are heavily inked with dark tattoos, including skulls. Most of them have a long beard or stubble. Some have long hair. They’re a rowdy-looking bunch, and they’re loud, but not obnoxious. Just having a good time from what I can tell, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
“I don’t think so, baby girl,” I assure her as I tear my gaze away and walk forward to place our order.
The food court is busy, and most of the tables are full. I end up walking around with Ainsley in tow for several minutes as I try to find a place for us to sit and eat.
“Auntie Noah,” Ainsley whines.
“I know, Ains,” I say, using her nickname, “I’ll find a table.”
I’m so focused on trying to keep the tray level and hold onto my niece’s hand as I scan the seating area that I don’t notice we’re not alone.
“Here. This table is open.”
I spin around, nearly colliding with a big biker. He’s so tall that I have to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. And his eyes. . . they’re a deliciously smooth, chocolatey brown with just a bit of amber closer to the center. I could get lost in eyes that deep and rich. They seem to darken as he stares at me, and his lips curl into a grin. “Uh, thanks. Mr.?”
“No, mister, darlin’. Just Torque.”
Torque? “That’s your name?” I blurt like an idiot.
“Yeah, babe. Not the one my mama gave me, but it fits.”
Several chuckles erupt around us, and I can feel my cheeks grow pink as I blush.
