“You really have been everywhere.Why are you here in Oakville, Illinois then?”
Hot Mall Santa seemed to consider this seriously, but then a smiled cracked on his face.“I’m a sucker for the holidays.I’ve always wanted to experience a white Christmas.”
“I’ll remember you said that when it dips below freezing in a few weeks.”Tom ate his burrito extra slow.He wasn’t going to make a scene in front of His Hotness.
“So when is your beach vacation?”Hot Mall Santa asked.
“I don’t know.Whenever I can save up the money.I’m taking my mom and me.”Tom flushed with embarrassment.A vacation with his mother?It sounded like a beach-set sequel toPsycho.“She’s never been either.It’s a special occasion kind of thing.I don’t hang out all the time with my mom.I have friends.”
I have friends?That is literally the lamest thing that has ever been said!
But Hot Mall Santa didn’t flinch.“I hope you two get to go.If you go to Miami, try to stay as close to Ocean Drive as you can.It has great restaurants and clubs.And the best people watching ever.”
“Better than the Oakville Mall?”
“Hmmm…it’s a close race.”Hot Mall Santa took another fry from his Wendy’s bag.“You want one?”
“You don’t take your fries out of the bag?”Tom asked.And you eat deep-fried carbohydrates and still look like that?
“No.I’ve always liked eating them like this.The bag keeps in the heat.”
“Keeps them from getting cold.”
“Yeah.”
“I love the fries that fall out of the carton into the bottom of the bag.They’re like…”
“Bonus fries,” Hot Mall Santa said, basically reading Tom’s mind.He pinned Tom down with his eyes.They had a ring of amber around the edges, as if they were two solar eclipses.
Tom remembered to chew his fry with his mouth closed.
Hot Mall Santa sipped the last of his pop and gathered up his trash.“My fans are waiting for me,” he said mockingly.“Thanks for letting me share your secret lunch spot.”
He left Tom to finish his burrito alone, but Tom couldn’t eat.Not when his mouth wouldn’t stop smiling.
CHAPTER5
The rest of the day passed without issue.Customers seemed to be on their best, non-cuckoo behavior, as if they sensed that Tom was busy thinking about his lunch with Hot Mall Santa.He pictured Hot Mall Santa shoving him up against the two-way mirror and kissing him, then clearing away his Wendy’s to take Tom on the desk.
He was allowed to fantasize.That was what Hot Mall Santa was for.
At six o’clock, most of the day employees left, and the night shift came in.The night shifters consisted mostly of people who worked a regular nine-to-five job.Kirsten took her coat and purse from her locker in the break room.Tom considered telling her about his lunch with Hot Mall Santa.It was something meant to be shared, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.He didn’t know why.It didn’t feel right to him, like it would sully the good conversation they had.
“Are you working tomorrow?”Kirsten asked.
“No.I’m off.You?”
“Same.I have finals this week.Then I’m all yours.”She threw on her jacket, something cute and frilly that could not handle any temperature under forty degrees.
They walked back onto the floor.Milo waited by the front door, near the main Christmas display of plates and napkins.He looked extra pale and extra short whenever he stood next to Antonio, and Tom supposed they made a cute couple, in an opposites-attract way.
Antonio wore his peacoat as he went over orders by the cash register.The lapels framed his face just right.His eyes lit up when he saw Tom.
“Thank you again for closing,” Antonio said.“I won’t let it go unnoticed.”
“Would you be willing to swear to that statement in court or in front of Décor Store bigwigs?”Kirsten asked.
Tom elbowed her in the side.
