"Yeah. The electronics system seems to have died. I can't get out of here." I blink back the tears welling in my eyes. As if this moment isn't bad enough already. I refuse to add tears to the mix. That can wait for when I'm back home, safely under the covers, resuming my umpteenth rewatch ofBake Off."I was calling out. Where were you?"
"I'm sorry. I was saying goodbye to my staff and handing out Christmas bonuses. Are you okay? Can I get you anything? Some water?"
"No, it's fine," I reply. "I've got water in my bag. I just… Can you please get me out of here?"
"Of course. I'll go get the master key right away. That will trigger the electronic mechanism, and I'll have you out of there in no time."
"Um…"
"Yes?"
"Will you be gone long?" I wince as soon as I say it, hating that I sound like a scared little baby when I'm a fully grown adult. Though, as stupid as it sounds, I do currently feel like a scared little baby.
The walls aren't closing in on me yet…but they look like they could strike any second now.
"The key is in the back office. I'll be back in a minute. Less than a minute actually."
"Okay."
"I can sing terribly off-key if you like?"
I sag against the wall, grateful Deep-Voice Guy is doing such a good job disguising his judgey-ness at how immature I'm being.
"If you insist."
"Before I traumatize you with that, can I know your name?"
"I'm Darby."
There's a moment of silence.
Then, "Skylar's friend?
"Uh, yep. That's me."
"He told me to expect you. Said he gifted you an unlimited store credit. I'm Kip Minari." He pauses. "I was about to say it's nice to meet you, but I'll save that for when we properly meet.Which will beverysoon. I'm going to get the master key now… If that's okay?"
He's either being super thoughtful, or he's low-key shading me.
Either way, I'll take it.
"As long as you don't renege and still serenade me, that's fine."
He chuckles, and it's as low and deep as I expected it to be. "I would never renege. But I have to warn you, my singing isreallybad. This is your last chance to changeyourmind."
"Nope. I'm good. You've set the bar pretty low. I want to hear this bad singing I've been promised."
"Okay, here goes nothing." He clears his throat, and a smile tugs at my lips as he booms the title lyric to "All the single ladies" as he retreats to fetch the key.
3
Kip
I yell-sing Beyoncé as I quickly make my way to my office, grateful to have the kind of voice that carries.
Poor Darby, getting locked in the dressing room like that. And on Christmas Eve of all days.
He caught my eye the moment he set foot inside my store even though he didn't notice me serving clients at the counter. He was laser focused, picking out a pair of pants before marching into the shirt section, making his selections quickly and with precision.
