“Really, sis,” I insisted. “I’m good.”
You’re not.” She hugged me, squeezing me tightly. “I just… I want you to know that I’m here for you, okay? You don’t have to feel alone.”
My shoulders fell and I dropped my chin on the top of her head. “I know I’m not alone.”
We stood like that for a moment, and I savored the comfort she offered so freely. I didn’t know how much I needed it in that moment.
Eventually, she cleared her throat and pulled back. “Shit.” She shot me a watery smile. “I probably ruined my makeup.”
I barked out a laugh. I didn’t want to give her the bad news, but she would kill me if I let her walk around the mall looking like a raccoon. “Maybe just a little bit.”
Giggling, she shoved me. “Let me run in this bathroom.” She jogged toward the restroom area.
The line to see Santa had grown considerably over the past half hour. Some kids cried, some screamed, but most of them were just happy to be able to sit on his lap. I took a seat near the smoothie place and watched as mothers readied their children for their photo op. One of my first paying photography jobs was snapping the pics of children at the local mall near my house. I made good money in tips that year, and it had cemented my desire to pursue my passion.
Pulling out my phone, I snapped a pic of Santa talking to one of the Elves. Looked like the old man was trying to holla. But the pretty elf seemed to have eyes for the photographer. Catching moments like these was one of my favorite perks of the job. I’d heard and seen everything, from breakups to hookups, and all the shit in between. I’d seen brides elated and grooms flirting with bridesmaids. I’d captured moments of devastation and moments of bliss.
Speaking of Bliss… I spotted the woman standing in the long line bouncing a toddler in her arms. She was looking my way too. Standing next to her were three women and a man, and all of them were looking at me as well. Unlike the other night, I couldn’t avoid her, so I stood and headed over to her group.
On the way, I scanned the area, wondering if Sloane was nearby. She wasn’t. It had been two days since we’d kissed, and I could still taste her. So much that I’d spent a stupid amount of time trying to figure out what type of candy she’d been eating that night. I’d settled on SweetTarts.
As I neared them, I overheard the tail end of their conversation. “… because Sloane is trippin’ if she’s going to let Mr. Fine-ass—”
“Hey,” Bliss cut off the woman who I now knew was her twin. “It’s good to see you.” She introduced me to her sisters, her brother, and her mother. “This is Maddox.”
I shook their hands. “Good to meet you.”
“Blake is dating Lennox, Ryker’s friend,” Bliss said.
“Oh, okay.” I’d known Lennox for years. We’d hung out quite a few times when they were attending Howard University. “Tell him I said what’s up.”
“And this is Naija, my baby girl,” Bliss explained. “We’re visiting Santa for the first time.”
I smiled at the baby and held out my hand. “Hi, Naija.” The little beauty laughed when I made a silly face at her.
Bliss’ mother beamed. “You have a way with kids, Maddox.”
“He’s a photographer, Mom,” Bliss said. “I should’ve had you snap the pics.”
“Anytime,” I offered. “I’ll be in town for a few weeks if you want me to shoot your family.”
Her mother asked if I could take pictures at their home after Christmas, and I agreed to set aside some time. We exchanged business cards while Bliss’ twin and her brother started arguing about color schemes.
Blake smacked her brother in the shoulder. “Duke, we’re not wearing black for a Christmas photo shoot. And stop eating my pretzels.”
Chuckling, I said, “I’ll be in touch after the holiday.”
Bliss handed her mother the baby. “Got a second?” she asked me. I eyed the curious gazes of her family and nodded, gesturing toward a row of chairs. She walked ahead of me, just far enough to be out of earshot from her family. “I probably shouldn’t do this, but Sloane is in the mall.”
I nodded, unsure how I should respond. OrifI should respond.
“She’s at the wine tasting kiosk waiting for her date,” she continued.
At the event, she’d been with two different men. Curious, I asked, “Another date? At the mall?”
Bliss laughed. “It’s convenient.”
Still unsure how to respond, I just stared at her and tried not to let the fact that Sloane was on yet another date—with someone other than me—frustrate the hell out of me. “Well, tell her I said hi.” I saw Taylar walk out of the bathroom and into a small boutique. “I should probably go.”
