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Chapter 3
Trixie
Dang, he’s even cuter in person. I shake my head at that thought. No way, no way am I finding this guy hot as hell. For one, he’s got a girlfriend or whatever the heck she is. Two, said girlfriend wrecked my store, setting me back weeks. I glare at Brandon again, but a picture forms in my head.
“No. No. Nuh-uh,” I say, shaking my head again, probably looking like a crazy person, but at the moment, I don’t care. No way am I making this man a custom ornament.
“Look, I really have no clue what’s going on. I don’t have a girlfriend. Actually…” He starts but stops, looking down and rubbing the back of his neck. When he lifts his head again, I see a little color in his cheeks. “Fuck, this is embarrassing to admit when you have absolutely no clue who I am,” he mumbles before taking a deep breath and continuing. “I’ve actually never had a girlfriend. Like… ever,” he admits.
I stare at him in complete shock. No way. This guy is sex on legs. He looks like a movie star with his dark brown hair a little too long but perfect for him, his grey eyes and muscular over six-foot frame. He’s every woman’s dream man, yet he’s telling me he’s never had a girlfriend? And what was this about not knowing who he is? Should I know who he is? I shrug. Might as well ask him since he doesn’t seem to be leaving any time soon. I’m still inching my way toward the back, where my cell phone is lying on a table. Maybe I can call the cops before he notices. Just keep him talking. That’s what I’m supposed to do, right?
“What do you mean, knowing who you are? Am I supposed to know who you are?” I ask, looking at him closely. Again, he rubs the back of his neck.
“Umm, no, not really. I haven’t been that popular since I was a teenager and stared in a sitcom. I’m actually an actor. My name is Brandon Wills. I’m actually here filming a movie,” he tells me, and I stop in my tracks. I’m not a big television type of person, but I feel like I’ve heard his name before. Then it hits me.
“Oh. My. God. You were in that show about the bad boy of the school turning his life around after meeting his best friend or something like that. Oh my lord, my best friend was obsessed with that show. We went to a meet and greet one year when we were like sixteen,” I say, completely shocked this guy is in my store. He smiles now.
“I think we are around the same age… so I met you when we were sixteen? I could have sworn I would never forget you, but I’m drawing a blank,” he says, and it’s my turn to blush.
“I, ah… I didn’t actually meet you. I never watched your show, so I wasn’t a fan of yours. I only went because my friends dragged me along. I stayed in the very back when she went to get a picture with you,” I tell him, hoping he’s not one of those jerks who thinks the entire world should bow at his feet. Instead of getting offended, Brandon laughs.
“Yup. That explains it. I knew I could never forget someone like you.” He smiles at me, making me duck my head again.
“What’s your name, beautiful?” he asks me.
“Trixie,” I tell him simply, feeling comfortable for the first time since he walked into my shop. All those comfortable and warm feelings I get from here rush to me, feelings I wouldn’t let myself think about when he first walked in, seeing as I thought he was here to hassle me with that woman.
“That’s a unique name. It’s beautiful and fits you. So, about this woman pretending to be my girlfriend,” he presses, and I take a deep breath before telling him everything that happened, including what my tiny shop and I are known for.
“You said I was hugging her in the picture?” he asks, and I nod.
“Yeah, but the more I think about the picture, the more it looks like it was one of those meet and greet type things,” I say, hitting my forehead with my palm. “I’m really sorry for freaking out on you.”
“It’s okay, really. Isn’t the first time a fan has convinced themselves I belong to them and gone crazy.” He chuckles, and it makes me laugh as well. That must be one hell of a crazy life. He sobers and looks around the store again.
“I am really sorry she destroyed your store. Looks like you did amazing getting it back up and running. I would still like to pay for any damages she may have caused,” he offers, and that makes me smile as well.
“Well, that’s just out of the question. It’s not like you know her or knew she was going around harassing people. I have a restraining order out on her now, but you might want to think about some kind of protection. She seemed a bit…. Unhinged. She was also completely convinced you two were together, and you were her soulmate. That’s why she wanted a custom ornament so badly,” I tell him, and he stares intently back at me.
“Believe me, if your gift is as strong as you say it is, my ornament wouldn’t have matched hers,” he says, and it feels like he is staring into my soul. Like he’s trying to convince me of something. I just don’t know what that something is. I clear my throat before looking down at my feet.
“Anyway, what can I help you with today?” I ask, needing to get my head out of the clouds and back on my shop. I wasn’t lying when I said I was behind.
“Well, I actually came in here to talk to you and maybe try to convince you to go to dinner with me,” he says, smiling, but through the smile, I can see how nervous he is. Like he’s scared I’m going to say no. I really should say no. There’s just too much to do, especially with it being three weeks until Christmas, but something about him is pulling at me. It’s almost like a string I can’t see, something I can only feel. It feels so tight like it could break with one move, but all I want to do is stay connected with him.
“I would love to go to dinner with you,” I say, not giving my brain time enough to worry. I’m going with my gut on this one.
“Tonight?” he asks eagerly, and it makes me chuckle.
“How about tomorrow? I have more work to do here tonight before I can leave. I’m going to be here pretty late,” I tell him with a sad smile.
“Tomorrow would be absolutely perfect. What time do you close tomorrow?” he asks.
“Five.” I smile.
“I’ll be here with bells on,” he tells me, and I can’t help but be excited at the thought of going to dinner with him. Not because he is some big movie star or that he’s handsome as all get out, but because he seems so genuine. I can see the goodness in his heart. It radiates off of him in waves.
“I would actually like to buy an ornament from you while I’m here,” he says, walking over to the shelf on the right of my store.
