“Diaz!” Howie greeted me with a big smile. “Where’sConquista? Aren’t you guys attached at the hip now?”
“Not at the moment,” I answered while scanning the store, my chest deflating in relief when my eyes landed on what I was looking for.
“Pack that up for me, please.”
His eyes went saucer wide when he followed my pointed finger. “Even if I give you the regular discount I usually do, that’s—”
“I know. I fucked up, Howie. And that is part of how I’m going to get her back.”
26
Victoria
“I’ll beat Blystone on time,” I told my mother and Drew as I grabbed my purse off of one of the dining room chairs. “The last place I want to be on Christmas Eve is the mall, so I promise to make this quick.”
“Everything will be set and ready to go, you just need to show up.” Mom kissed my forehead. “Good luck.”
We shared a laugh before Drew dropped a hand to my shoulder.
“My offer to beat him up still stands. You wouldn’t let me go after that punk who hurt you back when you were in elementary school, and it’s been building up all this time.” He pounded his fist into his hand, pulling a real laugh out of me for the first time in days. The dark curls falling over his brows and black-wire glasses didn’t exactly scream menacing, but I knew him well enough to know that he was only half-kidding.
“No, Drew. I’m fine.” I draped my arm around his shoulder and kissed his cheek. “But I really do appreciate it.”
He pulled me into a tight hug. I shared a silent laugh with Mom over his shoulder. She shook her head as she drained the rest of her coffee cup, smiling around the rim.
“Would beating him up makeyoufeel better?” I pulled back and laughed when he cocked his head from side to side.
“No one hurts my girls.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Go, and try not to brawl with anyone. A mall on Christmas Eve isn’t a cake walk.”
“Tell me about it,” I sighed. I could kill Marley for dragging me last minute shopping with her, today. She promised she only needed one gift and we could leave, but she needed my help. I had nothing else to do today but wallow, so I’d agreed, but crazy mobs and long cashier lines made wallowing seem like a more enjoyable choice.
“Remember, one gift and we’re out. I want to help you, but I really don’t have the patience this Christmas,” I told Marley when I met her in front of the mall entrance.
“I know, just one blender for my mother, and we’re out of here. The one I ordered arrived broken yesterday.” She opened the door and rushed inside.
“I thought you said you were getting her a waffle iron.”
“Oh that, too. So that’s two gifts I guess, sorry.” She turned, a forced nervous smile on her lips as we cut through the crowds.
“Look, there’s no line for Santa,” she pointed over to the closed up kiosk against the wall.
“It’s Christmas Eve, seeing Santa today kind of blows his cover as he’s supposed to be traveling in his sleigh or whatever.”
Marley stopped, laughing as she crossed her arms. “Did Anthony drain you of the holiday spirit?”
Among other things.
I didn’t answer as I continued to follow her and let out an annoyed huff when she took a turn into the Christmas shop next to the Santa kiosk.
“There are no blenders or waffle irons here. Why are we taking a detour?”
“Victoria, come on. Maybe seeing the decorations will get you in the mood or something.”
I rolled my eyes. “Believe me when I say that reindeer antler ornament hooks won’t provide any holiday joy.”
“Plus, you can see Santa’s lair.” Her eyebrows jumped as she peeked into the window of a closed off room to the side. “Do you think Santa changes here?” Her brows jumped.
“Have you lost your mind?” I followed her to the closed door. “The guy who plays Santa may have you arrested for being a creeper if you don’t stop looking.”
