Page 63 of Drop Pass

“I’m just glad we can walk to the stores. I would still hate to drive in this.”

I nodded and stuffed my hands in my pockets. It was colder than I expected so I hurried us into the nearest department store. “Hopefully this place will have everything I need.”

She unbuttoned her coat and looked around at the shoes on display. “What are you looking for?”

“I need something for the team party.”

Her eyebrows pulled together. “The one at Chloe’s house?”

I nodded.

“I didn’t know we were supposed to bring gifts.”

I smirked. “Then it’s a good thing you came with me. We’re doing a white elephant game and Chloe said not to bring junk.”

“Okay then. Let’s get looking.”

We wandered through the departments looking for gifts within the price range Chloe set and came up with a few ideas.

“I think either the cashmere scarf or the shaving set,” Elena said looking at the options in her hands.

“I’ll get this you get the scarf.” I took the box set from her and went to check out. She stood next to me, brushing her hand over the soft fabric, but she looked distracted.

“I forgot to check on something for Gavin. I’ll be right back.”

She blinked up at me. “Do you want help?”

I shook my head. “No, don’t lose your place in line.”

I hurried away before she could ask more questions and went downstairs to the jewelry section. We’d looked around here for ideas and Elena had stopped to look at a gold bracelet twice. It was a thin band with ruby and opal colored gems strung together. It sparkled in the case and I knew I had to surprise her with it.

The sales woman that noticed us before walked over. “Back again?”

I nodded. “Can I get that bracelet.”

She smiled and removed it from the case, wrapping it in a small black box. She scanned the shaving set and put them together in a bag then I paid. I thanked her and took the bag before rushing up the escalator to meet Elena.

I went to the register she’d been waiting at as she finished her transaction. She looked down at the bag and her eyebrows went up. “How did you beat me?”

“I was looking at the shoes Grant wanted and someone offered to ring me up.” The lie rolled off my tongue without a thought.

She nodded and I smiled, grateful she didn’t ask more questions.

“Do you need to get gifts for your family?”

I shook my head. “I ordered those and had them sent a few weeks ago.”

“Wow, I’m impressed. I thought this was going to be all of your last-minute man-shopping.”

I shrugged. “I don’t really have anyone else to shop for. The guys went in on a gift for the coaches and we agreed not to get anything for each other, so this was the only thing I needed.”

“You have me beat. I sent my parents’ gifts last week, but I wasn’t done shopping until a few days ago.”

I lead her back outside and down to our building. “Do you want to go to the party together?”

Her eyes widened and I almost said to forget it, but she bit her lip and smiled. “That would be great.”

We had an hour before we had to head over so when we got upstairs, I walked her to her door. “I’ll be back in about forty-five minutes.”