“True,” I say, “and deserve even more, but I need you to look at this non-porn Christmas ornament and get it for me. It’s a smiling Santa.” I hold the phone up so she can see it.
“Most Santas are smiling, Alex,” she teases then studies the ornament. “I didn’t know you have a thing for Santa ornaments. You seem more like a Rudolph guy.”
“It’s not for me,” I grunt. “It’s for Finley. I want to give it to her.” Why does admitting that feel so uncomfortable? It’s normal to get your girlfriend a gift. But it feels like I’m cutting my chest open and letting Mallory watch my heart beat. “Can you get it for me or not?” I ask defensively.
“Jeez, calm down,” she says, looking me over with narrowed eyes. “Of course I will.”
“It’s insanely expensive,” I warn, texting the photo. “I’ll Venmo you.” I pause. “You do have Venmo, right?”
Her eyes narrow. “Of course I have Venmo. Most thirteen-year-olds have Venmo.”
“How do you know the buying habits of thirteen-year-olds?” I ask suspiciously.
“Maybe because I was a camp counselor last summer and bunked with thirteen- and fourteen-year-olds for two months.”
Ouch. I should have known that.
Her eyes narrow even more. “Are you getting it for her because you’re trying to impress her with your money?”
“What? No!”
But I realize in the past, I’ve bought my girlfriends gifts based on the dollar amount, not because it meant something. Not like Finley is doing with her gifts.
“Her mother had an ornament like that when she was a kid and Finley inherited it. But one of her jackass roommates did something to it. She really wants it but won’t spend that much on herself. So, I…I want to get it for her.”
Her eyes go soft. “That’s sweet, Alex.”
“It’s just an ornament,” I grunt.
“Obviously it’s not just an ornament to Finley.”
There’s no arguing that point.
She screws up her face. “Why is it so hard for you to admit you want to do something nice for her?”
“What are you talking about?” I scoff. “I just asked you to get the ornament for me.”
“Yeah, but you seem…” She shakes her head. “Never mind. I’ll get it then send you a Venmo request for payment.”
Some of my tension bleeds away. “Thanks. But if you need me to send you money before you get it, let me know.”
Her eyes widen. “That much, huh? The one I got for mom was around twenty dollars.”
“That’s like pocket change compared to this one. But she really wants it.” Some of my desperation bleeds into my voice. “Never mind. She’s busy talking to her friend. I’ll get it myself.”
I brush past her, but she puts a hand on my chest. She gives me a strange look, like she’s trying to figure me out then gives up. “No, it’s okay. I’ll get it and hide it in the bag with my others.”
I feel like a tightly coiled spring about to be released. “Okay.”
“If Finley asks where I am, tell her I saw a friend and wanted to catch up. When I see you two are further down the market, I’ll pop in and get it.”
I catch sight of Finley again. She’s still talking to her friend, and thankfully she doesn’t look so sad. “Yeah, the friend story is a good idea.”
“Don’t sound so surprised. I’m full of them,” Mallory says in a sassy tone as she spins around and looks over her shoulder before walking the opposite way.
Chapter Twenty-One
Alex
