Christmas and trying to make it as special and memorable as I possibly could was firmly within my control, and I planned on controlling the heck out of it. The doll was an integral part of all that.
Or so I’d thought until I finally made my way to the toy aisle of the store I was in. This was a stupid idea. I shouldn’t have left it this late.
But I’d kind of lost track of time and now it was either brave the mosh pit that was the toy aisle or fail my mission. I’d already had to fight my way this far into the store, and failing wasn’t an option. As afraid as I was to commit to going in, I had no other option.
I’d checked on the website before I’d come to the mall, and according to the information on there, they still had some units of the doll in stock. Or, at least, they’d had some units of the doll in stock.
It wasn’t inconceivable that they were sold out by now, but I’d come as early as I could. Katie was with Mom and Dad, and now all I had to do was brave all those people down that aisle to get her what she wanted most.
I went to lift my foot to take my first step toward the dolls, but it wouldn’t move. Crowds and tight spaces had never been my thing, and now I had to enter tight spaces created by a crowd. It was less than ideal.
My pulse spiked at the sheer amount of people between me and the doll. What if I freak out when I get down there and nobody lets me out and I fall and get trampled to death?
It could happen. I’d read enough news articles about the weird shit that happened on Black Friday that I knew nothing was impossible. I could get killed over a doll, and where would Katie go then? She’d have to deal with losing me too. So would my parents. They’re too old to raise another child.
Before I fell all the way down that rabbit hole, I shook my head at myself. Don’t be ridiculous. People are crazy on Black Friday, but they’re not that bad.
After taking a few deep calming breaths, I forced myself to move. All I had to do was to tough it out. I could do that for Katie.
The only upside to having taken the approach that I had from the front of the shop was that I was on the side of the aisle closest to the dolls. I’d bypassed the hectic traffic for the cash registers by remaining on the outside of them. Then I’d looped around the side of the last one to get in. I had to duck beneath the partition, but it had been at about waist height and only an inch wide, so that’d gone fine.
I’d mentally congratulated myself on my good thinking, but it hadn’t meant that I got to skip the crowds in their entirety. There were only a few feet between me and the dolls, though. A ton of people might occupy those few feet, but I’d get in and out in a jiffy.
People bumped into me once I entered the aisle. I made myself as small as I could while muttering under my breath. “It’s called personal space, people. Some of us like to have it.”
An employee appeared at the top of the aisle with a megaphone, raising it to her lips to try calm people down, but nobody seemed to be listening. “Attention shoppers. Can I have your attention please? If everyone would move in an orderly fashion and refrain from violence, you’ll all get what you came for and no one will get hurt.”
Exactly. That lady knew what she was talking about. It made a lot more sense to simply calm down, wait patiently, and move in a line. Get what you want. Get out.
Apparently, she and I were the only ones with that idea. Most people ignored her, but a couple hollered insults in her direction.
One woman with a cart filled with toy boxes and a year’s supply of tampons stepped away from the shelf, and suddenly, I could see the dolls. If only someone would make space for her so she, her toys, and her tampons could skedaddle, I’d almost be able to reach the box I wanted.
So close. As if the universe itself had heard my pleading thought, the woman managed to find a spot to squeeze through and I slid into the one she had vacated. Yes. I did it. I actually did it. I’m the best aunt and godmother in the whole wide world. Katie’s going to be so—
Another hand closed around the other side of the box as soon as I touched the side nearest to me. I yanked my gaze up properly for the first time since setting foot into this aisle and found myself looking into a gorgeous, familiar pair of brown eyes.
Oh no. Not him. Anyone but him. All I could think of when I looked into his eyes was the insane chemistry that had flowed between us the last time I’d been this close to his face. I’d spent all the time between then and now telling myself it had been my imagination playing tricks on me and that there was no way I’d really felt what I’d thought I had.
One second in his orbit and I knew that had all been a lie. The chemistry was there, and it made me want to tangle my fingers in his hair and kiss him right there in the middle of the mob.
Jacob smirked when he recognized me, and it was like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over my head.
“It’s you,” he said, repeating the same words from Halloween. “Imagine that. How are you, Laurie?”
“I’d be better if you let go of the toy I’m getting Katie for Christmas.” I glared at him. “How are you?”
He chuckled, not seeming nearly as tense as I was about being in such a big crowd. The bottom of his jaw was slightly redder than the rest of his skin, and there was a scrape on the forearm connected to the hand holding the box.
“See, that’s funny. I’m not going to let go because this happens to be the doll I’m getting Allie for Christmas.”
I broke eye contact with him to glance at the shelf, praying to see another box sticking out behind this one. But, of course, that would’ve made things too easy.
“This seems to be the last one,” I said.
“I noticed. Why don’t you go ask that nice lady who was just screaming at everyone to calm down if she’s got another one in the back? That way, you’ll also go home with what you wanted today.”
“No thanks. I have a better plan.” I tightened my grip on the box. “Why don’t you go ask her about more stock in the back?”
He shook his head and chuckled again, but the sound was darker this time. “No way. I’ve just come from up there and I’m not going back. Do you have any idea how brutal it is at the electronic toys around there? I got slapped.”
“Oh, I thought that might just have been because of your personality.”
He snorted. “You didn’t seem to mind my personality so much on Saturday.”
“Temporary insanity.” I waved my free hand. “Just like my bright idea of coming shopping on Black Friday.”
“Insanity is one explanation for it, I suppose.” His eyes locked on mine, and I had to grab onto the world with both mental hands to keep it from melting away again. “Regardless, I’m getting this doll for Allie. Sorry, Laurie. You’re going to have to go find another one at a different shop.”
“Katie has wanted this doll for ages,” I said, my tone imploring but not begging. “It’s all she’s been talking about. It’s not even December yet and she’s already written Santa about it.”
“Allie’s been talking about it just as much. I’m not in the business of disappointing my daughter, and she would be extremely disappointed if this doll wasn’t under the Christmas tree this year.”
“So would Katie,” I said. “She would be devastated. Normally, I would let you have it, but I’m afraid I won’t find it again and I can’t wrap my head around not having this doll on Christmas morning. I’ll do anything to make that little girl smile, and this year, this is it.”
A devious look appeared in his eye and the edges of his lips twitched. “Anything, huh? Okay, I can work with that.”
“What?” My eyebrows mashed together. “What do you mean you can work with that?”
That doesn’t sound good. Or did it sound too good? I would’ve screwed my eyes shut to try and get a moment of clarity to clear up the confusion, something I wouldn’t get while still looking into his eyes, but I wasn’t losing sight of him right then.
Not because he was hot but because he really did look devious and I wa
sn’t letting him grab the toy right out from underneath me.
“I mean that I’ll let the doll go on one condition—a date,” he said, slowly withdrawing his hand and opening his fingers to show me his palm. “You and me. On a date. Within the next month.”
“A date?” I scoffed.
He nodded. “You can keep the doll in exchange for a date. Just a minute ago, you said you’d do anything. This doesn’t seem so bad in comparison to all the things I could’ve asked for.”
I rolled my eyes and released the toy. “I’m sorry. I should’ve clarified. I’m not an escort, and if I was, my time would cost a hell of a lot more than this toy.”
His face fell. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Save it.” I spun around and marched out, cursing him as I went. This time, people cleared out of my way. Not even Black Friday shoppers were crazy enough to mess with a girl who looked half as pissed off as I had to look right then.
Chapter 16
Jacob
Absolute fucking chaos. I wiped my brow when I left the store and resolved never to go shopping on Black Friday again. Next year, I was buying Christmas presents by September and hiding them in a closet.
When I got to my car, there were already six more lined up to take my spot and I was parked blocks away from the mall. I dropped the doll on the seat next to me, but I felt strangely disappointed that I’d gotten it instead of the date.
I actually had really wanted the date. Who’d have thought?
Getting back to the office was a welcome reprieve. We were far enough away from the big shops that we didn’t even see the traffic, and everything here seemed weirdly calm after the madness of the mall.
Dannie grinned when I got to her desk. For once, she hadn’t been waiting for me. Then again, maybe it wasn’t that strange. I was about two and a half hours later than usual.
“Did you get the doll you went out for?” she asked. I’d texted her earlier to tell her not to expect me early and why.
I nodded. “It was mayhem. A never to be repeated bout of madness that I will write about in my memoir, but I emerged as the victor.”
“You always do.” She bumped playfully into my side. “I never doubted you.”
John turned the corner, his calculating gaze making quick work of my injuries. “Oh, you went shopping. Terrible idea, Jacob. What were you thinking?”
“That Allie wanted a doll and I had to get it for her.” I sighed. “I’m not sure the doll was worth it.”
I’d never be able to forget the look on Laurie’s face before she turned around and stomped away. If I added the rest of my injuries to the equation, I just wasn’t sure it’d been worth it at all.
Allie wanted the doll, but would she have wanted it at the cost of disappointing her friend and seeing her father injured? Having had the time to think about it, I didn’t think she would.
John chuckled and slapped my shoulder. “I’ve been there. The things we do for our kids, huh? Do you have anything urgent going on? I’m about to go enjoy my turkey sandwich on the roof if you’d like to join me.”
“You brought leftover turkey too?” I laughed. “Big surprise. I think everyone in the office has leftover turkey sandwiches today.”
“Mine has a chocolate glaze,” Dannie said from my side, her nose wrinkling. “I’ve never had it that way before, but it works. In a really unexpected way.”
John grimaced at her while shooting me a what the fuck look. “Rather you than me. Mine is all traditional.”
“So the roof, you say?” I asked. “Sounds good. Let me put my things away, and I’ll meet you up there.”
He nodded, and Dannie followed me to the office and then upstairs. Only the three of us were on our little rooftop since it was still about an hour before lunch.
John’s dad had made a sanctuary up there when he’d been the senior partner. There was a fountain, benches, potted trees, and an awning that provided shade.
“How was your Thanksgiving?” I asked once we were all seated and unwrapping our respective sandwiches.
John chuckled. “Two of my daughters are pregnant. Having them in the same room at the same time is bad enough, but then their little sister had to use the occasion to announce that she, too, is expecting. They went nuts.”
“Lots of baby talk?” I assumed.
He pressed his lips into a thin line, but there was still some humor in the crinkles of his features. “You’d think there would be, but no. Sibling rivalry is alive and kicking. They’re terribly competitive.”
“Coming from a long line of lawyers?” I pretended to gape. “Whoever would’ve thought they’d have a competitive streak in them?”
“You can laugh now. Yours is still young.” He pointed his sandwich at me. “Give it time. You’ll rue the day you ever made fun of sibling rivalry among daughters. It was scary. Who knew canary yellow and sunshine yellow could spark such debates?”
Dannie’s brow wrinkled and she lifted her hand. “Uh, I did? There’s a big difference. Especially in a nursery.”
“Save it,” I said jokingly. “I have a feeling he’s heard these arguments before.”
John hung his head before he shook it, giving Dannie a smile when he looked up at her from beneath the silver hair falling across his forehead. “All of it and then some. Let’s talk about how it went with you instead.”
“My sister brought a duck,” Dannie said, completely deadpan. “Apparently, he’s an emotional support animal, which would have been fine except my sister doesn’t need emotional support. She’s just a cow, and her duck is the devil reincarnate. He spent the entire meal attacking people’s Achilles tendons.”
“It sounds like your day might have been a touch more horrific than mine.” John finally lifted his head again and took a bite of his food.
We talked about Thanksgiving and joked about each other’s stories for a bit before John sighed, looking around wistfully. “The only thing we need right now is a cup of coffee. I should install a station up here. That could be my legacy.”
“You mean that could be your legacy apart from the fact that the firm is stronger than it’s ever been?” Dannie laughed. “I think your legacy is safe, sir.”
I was the only one finished with my lunch, so I decided I might as well fall on my sword one more time today. “I’ll go get us some drinks. You guys finish eating. We need to be productive at some point, and I definitely need a strong coffee to get to that point.”
Both nodded their agreement, and I left them on the roof before ambling down the street to a small bistro we frequented. I didn’t know how many people had taken the day off, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to bring some extras back to the office.
After placing an order for a few plain, basic teas and coffees, I went outside to the sidewalk to wait. There was a window I could collect my takeout order from, and it was filling up fast inside as we got closer to lunch time.
I’d barely hit the sidewalk when I noticed Laurie’s car at the curb. She was sitting behind the steering wheel, her head buried in her hands. I took a few steps closer out of curiosity before I noticed her shoulders shaking.
Ice spread through my bloodstream. She was most definitely not the type to sit in her car crying because she’d lost a doll to me that morning.
I knew I should leave her be. She wouldn’t talk to me, of all people, about what had made her cry. Especially not when she was so upset that she was curled into herself and had her forehead pressed against the wheel.
Moving toward her without having decided to do it, I was tapping on her window before I could help myself. This is Katie’s mom. Allie’s friend’s mom. I can’t just let her bawl her eyes out and pretend not to see her.
My reasoning rang as a lie even to my own ears, but then she was wiping her tears and rolling the window down a crack. Her expression turned hard and defiant when she saw me. “What do you want?”
“What’s wrong?” I ignored her anger, my brows pulling together when I saw the raw pai
n in her eyes. “Did someone hurt you?”
“Yes, but not in the way you’re thinking.” Her tone was flat. “You obviously know many lawyers. Tell me, are all of you complete useless assholes, or are there actually some decent ones around?”
“That might’ve been hurtful if I was the type to get offended by lawyer jokes.” I lowered my head to look into her puffy eyes, bracing my hands against the roof of her car as I leaned over. “There are plenty of decent ones around if you know where to look. Why don’t you tell me what’s happening, and I’ll see if I can point you in the right direction?”
Her nose was red, her eyelids swollen, and cheeks stained with tears, but somehow, she still didn’t look defeated. That silent strength was still there in the way she flicked her watery gaze from one of my eyes to the other, the wheels in her head turning so hard I could practically hear them.
A minute later, she threw her hands up and huffed out a humorless laugh. “Oh, what the hell? Why not? It’s not like talking to you can make it worse.”
Now there’s some glowing praise if I’ve ever heard it. Instead of saying anything out loud though, I simply cocked an eyebrow and made a rolling motion with my finger.
“I’m in a lawsuit against a huge movie company,” she said, her voice strained as the words came out of her faster and faster until they were all rolling into one another and she wasn’t even breathing between them anymore.
“I might not know much about lawyers or litigation, but I’m sure that my lawyer is screwing me over, and I don’t know what to do about it. I’m just so overwhelmed by everything that I don’t know my ass from my elbow anymore.”
She kept picking up steam, her hands waving animatedly and her volume rising. “We’ve been in our new house for more than a month and I haven’t even finished unpacking yet. I never understood why people say it’s like your whole life grinds to a halt when you’re involved in something like this, but I do now.”
Her head shook and she let her eyes flutter closed, a small crease appearing between her brows. “I just need this lawsuit to end, but it doesn’t even seem like it’s started yet. I’ve been in limbo all year, and it’s just too much.”
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