37. Beauty and the Grinch
37
Beauty and the Grinch
A few days later, I went in for my last shift: Christmas Eve.
I drove past the main lot, where customers were already waiting at the gates and rubbing their mittens, then parked in the employee lot. A group of people walked past my car, their shoulders hunched to their ears.
“Can’t believe I had to work today,” one said.
The other shrugged. “Hey, at least we get holiday pay.”
And for some of us, a bonus check. I marched into a steady stride behind them.
“At least it gets me away from my in-laws…” Their conversation trailed off into other grumblings, but my mind wandered to the possibility of meeting Harvey’s parents.
Tomorrow, he’d be with them at his uncle’s house. If it wasn’t so far, I’d have loved to take him up on the invitation to join him. Not that my family would spare me. It wouldn’t be the best time to meet the Hamlins, anyways. It was the biggest holiday of the year and my first day of unemployment.
I adjusted my old backpack, the curled toes of my elf shoes scratching my shoulders through my puffy coat. I’d also brought a change of clothes for when I had to turn my uniform in at the end of the day. Sighing, I shuffled across patches of cleared, salty pavement, dragging my feet.
“Heads up,” someone called sharply.
A ball of cold wetness blasted against my calf. Shrieking, I whirled around, my heart beating fast. No way this would happen on my last day.
A familiar tall man in an olive hat shook droplets off his hand from three rows back. “Sorry. I thought I saw a grinch slinking through the parking lot.”
“Harvey.” I laughed and ran over to him, jingling all the way.
“Hey, Sugar.” He hoisted me into a hug and swung me around, conducting my giggles and the bells. I was flying and grounded at the same time. How did he do that?
I peppered his face in kisses, stretching to keep up the affection even as he set me on my feet.
“Let’s go, Shelby.” He tapped my butt.
“We just started playing.” I pouted. Couldn't we enjoy it for another minute?
He gestured to the mall. “People need their coffee. Plus, this isn’t a playground, it’s–”
“A parking lot, I know.” I rolled my eyes and swayed with him. “It’s still fun, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” He smiled, his gaze warming me even more than our linked, searching fingers.
“Anywhere can be fun when I’m with you,” I said.
Harvey’s breath hitched, and he leaned in so fast I almost didn’t have time to close my eyes. He stamped a long, warm kiss on my forehead–a seal of approval. The icy nerves in my heart started melting. He pulled away before I was ready.
“Hey, wait.” I pointed to my lips.
Cursing softly, he caressed my face. “You’re too cute to handle.”
“That’s not what you said when you had me across your lap.”
“Shelby.” He laughed, but I got my kisses.
We walked hand-in-hand. I ran ahead to get the door for him, but he shook his head and reached over me for it. “Ladies, first.”
“Curse those long, beautiful limbs,” I said. “I wanted to increase my good Christmas karma.”
“You can kiss me under some mistletoe, later.”
I giggled and walked inside. “We don’t have any. It’s considered a liability. However, I could find some and…” I paused, noting that security guards were out of the office this morning and staring at us. My cheeks flushed as I went through the metal detectors. “Hello, Officer Holland. Merry Christmas Eve or whatever you’re celebrating.”
He sipped his coffee and gave us a knowing look. The cup had a shiny, holiday sleeve from The Bern, making my heart swell with memories.
“Hello.” Officer Holland nodded, “Short day, today.”
“Yep. Better make the most of it,” I said. The mall was closing at 5PM instead of 7PM so customers could do their last-minute shopping and employees could potentially have dinner with their families. Mine was probably grilling fish or something. But we still had cookies in case I needed to eat my feelings.
At least Mom and the family had been hanging out at Aunt April’s, lately. Although I did catch her peeking at some stuff in my closet. She said she was looking for laundry. As if I had forgotten how to drop stuff in the basket. Nothing was missing yet, but I had to get myself a lock for Christmas. Or an apartment. I was waiting on that Nice bonus…although it sure would be nice to be able to take advantage of holiday pricing.
Harvey got manually checked by security, then accompanied me to the coat hooks and cubbies, lending me his hand for balance as I switched my shoes. He glanced at the clock. “I’ve got to get going. Stay out of trouble.”
“I’ll try.” I leaned up to meet him for a kiss. His cool lip ring warmed against my lips, and when we eased apart, Harvey smiled with the grace of sunshine hitting the first snowfall.
I squeezed his hand as he slipped away. “I love you, bye.”
Harvey spun back around at me with an incredulous grin. “Love?”
I covered my mouth. Oh, sugarplum. What had I done?
Mario barreled through the hallway, twisting his semi-frozen hair into a bun. He jerked his head at Harvey. “People are already lining up.”
He held up a hand. “Just a sec."
I pushed him back. “Nope, pretend that didn’t happen.”
“Why?” Harvey laughed.
“Because the coat room isn’t romantic."
He leaned closer. “We’re not exactly traditional, Sugar.”
My heart was about to burst like those holiday poppers. “Oh my gosh, go,” I begged.
“Come on, man.” Mario started dragging him off, oblivious to our conversation.
Harvey grinned over his shoulder. “Catch you later.”
Maybe this wasn’t the end of the world. He probably thought it was funny or endearing. Still, my cheeks flamed. How embarrassing could I be? It was last-day emotions taking over me. Yes, that was how I’d describe it if he thought it was too early.
A flash of bright green caught my eye. Aha, Nicole, my Fancee's lunchtime friend was a perfect distraction, but also, someone on my list to talk to before I left. She tapped away on her phone as usual.
I flagged her down, huffing with the effort to catch up. “Nicole. Wait, wait. Just in case I don’t see you later, I hope you have an amazing day or week or you know, forever.”
“Thanks?” She tilted her head. “Are you okay?”
My stomach clenched. Did she not care about our lunches? “It’s my last day.”
Her gaze to the side. “Oh, I guess it would be. Weird.”
“Yeah, I have to turn my uniform in at the end of the day. Do you think I can get a pair of these at Fancee’s?” I waved my curled-toe shoes at her.
She arched her brow.
“Um kidding.” Why were Harvey and I the only ones who loved the jingling? I ducked and fluffed my hair. “Anyway, I should get going.”
She gave me a one-armed hug. “Okay, bye. I’ll miss my lunch buddy.”
“Same.” Even though we didn’t talk about anything earth-shattering, it was nice to have a friendly face in my routine.
She pulled away and held up the peace sign. “Well, don’t be a stranger at Fancee’s. If you ever need shoe advice, you know where to find me.”
“Okay.” I nodded, blinking back the sting in my eyes. She was right. This wasn’t necessarily a forever kind of goodbye. I might see her around. Shopping. Assuming I had any money. Or I could be back next year and she may still be here. Regardless, next time I came to the mall, Officer Holland would probably see me on security footage. Maybe he’d come out and say hi or tip his coffee to the screen. Things were changing, but they weren’t over.
I hurried to my holiday haven to make today the best shift yet.