Maybe I'd find some brown shoes like the emoji. I imagined his face if I turned up in those, and smiled. That would serve him right for being so cryptic.
I briefly imagined how he'd react if I wore nothing else, but I blushed at the idea of being naked in public.
In private, maybe…
No, think unsexy thoughts, I told myself.Thinkbet winningthoughts.
I slipped into the first clothes shop situated on the outside of the mall. It was a small boutique, with a select collection at a select price, in select sizes. It didn't take me long to realise I wasn't going to fit into their size minus-a-bajillion, even if the prices on the swing tags weren't eye-watering.
One dress would cost me two mortgage payments. Hard pass.
I shot the saleswoman a smile and slipped out the door as quickly as I could without looking like I was running from the scene. She was probably used to people reacting that way. A sale a week would pay her wages and cover the costs for the salon. Okay, maybe two sales.
I headed for the main doors into the mall. The moment I stepped through, the sound of upbeat, poppy mall music and the intoxicating smell of coffee hit me.
Food court first then. I lined up for a cup, but resisted the cupcakes in the display stand on the counter. Even the one with a piece of chocolate sticking out of the top. I was pretty sure I put on five kilos just looking at it.
I tapped my card to pay for my coffee and stepped away from the counter. I'd only taken a handful of steps when something wound around my legs from behind.
I held back a squeal of surprise and looked down. Two small arms and little hands were wrapped around my thighs.
"Um. Hey there." With my spare hand, I patted a young arm. "Are you okay?"
I managed to peel a hand away and turn around. The little girl who grabbed onto me couldn't have been more than four or five. A couple of curls covered her face
I crouched down in front of her. "Where's your mom?"
Tears overflowed in her eyes. "I can't find mommy!" she wailed. "I wanted a cupcake, but then she goed away!"
"Oh," I said. "You saw the cupcakes." I tilted my head at her. "Did you run away from mommy to look at the cupcakes?"
She shook her head. Then she averted her eyes. "No," she said slowly.
"What's your name?" I asked gently.
"Penny." She had blonde hair like me and blue eyes almost the exact same shade as Hawk's. If he and I had children…
I swallowed. Where didthatthought come from? Hell? "Okay, Penny. I'm going to help you find your mommy, all right?"
"A' right," she replied.
"Where was she when you saw her last?"
Penny frowned. She looked around and pointed toward the longest, busiest section of stores in the whole mall.
"Right. I don't suppose you have a phone?" Kids seemed to start younger and younger these days.
Penny shook her head, then said, "Mommy has a phone. It has nudie men on it."
I held back a laugh.Me too, kid, me too. None I'd let a kid this age look at, but it wasn't my place to judge.
"Do you know her number?" I asked hopefully.
"Five," Penny replied.
"Is that the first number?"
Penny shook her head. "It's her favourite number."
