The associate boxed the bracelet with careful hands while Lane continued admiring the pearl resting against his throat in the mirror.
He looked so very pleased with himself.
And very aware that I was watching him, preening under the attention.
Once the purchase was finished, the associate handed over the elegant little shopping bag with a polite smile. Lane thanked him sweetly, then slipped his hand back into mine the moment we stepped out into the corridor.
The new necklace stayed on.
“I take it you love it?” I asked.
Lane touched the pearl again, smiling. “It matches my earrings.”
“It does,” I agreed.
We continued through the mall, the shopping bags slowly multiplying in my hands while Lane wandered happily beside me.
We took a break for lunch at one of the high-end cafes dotted around the building before returning to our leisurely walk.
At one point, a bright, sweet scent drifted out into the hall.
Lane slowed.
The shop was filled with colorful displays—perfect spheres of bath bombs stacked into pyramids, glass jars of bath salts and oils, soaps shaped like flowers, and who knew what else.
Lane turned those hopeful eyes toward me. “Daddy…”
I sighed theatrically. “You already have an entire cabinet of bath products.”
“But these are different,” he insisted.
I raised an eyebrow. “How?”
He considered that for a moment, then stated, “Because I said so.”
I snorted quietly, handing over my card. “Fine, princess. I’m going to go sit down to give my arms a break. I’ll be out front once you’re done.”
Lane beamed, practically skipping into the store as I took a seat in one of the chairs stationed in the center of the walkway.
I watched as he drifted around the store, filling a basket as he went.
Once he’d finished, he came over to me holding a very large bag with a bright smile on his face.
Lane looped his arm through mine as we returned to walking around.
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“You’re welcome.”
He glanced around curiously as we walked a little farther down the wing of the mall.
“So what else is here?”
I smiled. “Actually,” I said, steering him gently toward the far end of the hallway, “this is why I picked this mall.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just wait.”
