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“She tells me that all the time,” Brad laughed. “I think I’m the lucky one cuz she’s so nice, and pretty too.”
Thank God, he has a girlfriend. I had that wrong. He’s just a nice kid.
I took the bag of food and filled the cup with cold water from the fountain. Hot chocolate would be for later. I wandered over to the couches they’d brought in by the fireplace and plopped down to eat. A few of the store owners walked by and said good night, then Toby stopped in front of me.
“You staying overnight?” Toby joked. “I mean, that couch looks pretty cozy. I wouldn’t blame you.”
If he only knew that I actually do stay overnight.
“Hey Toby, I was so busy tonight I never got a dinner break.” I patted the seat. “Join me. I have extra.”
“Thanks, but I have to keep making rounds until all the shops are closed and everyone’s out,” Toby said. “Feel free to relax. It’ll be at least an hour before everyone is out.”
“You’re alright, Toby. I wish that fireplace was on but, if it was, I might never leave,” I joked. “I’m gonna get a hot chocolate. You want one?”
“Sure, grab me one. I’ll get it on my way back.” Toby walked over to the fireplace. “You want this thing on?”
“Don’t you? Look at this thing, it’s like fifteen feet wide.” I waved my arms from side to side. “I could live inside of it.”
“You could park your car next to it like a drive-in movie.” Toby flipped a switch and the fire came on. “Enjoy it for a little while.”
I jumped up and hugged Toby. “Come back and join me.”
I wonder if he knows I live in my car.
I finished off the burgers and turned sideways on the couch. The fire felt good and my belly was satisfied. Next thing I knew, Toby was tapping on my arm.
“I thought you were getting us a hot chocolate?” he teased. “I leave you alone for ten minutes and you’re out cold.”
“Geez, I can’t believe I fell asleep like that. Give me five minutes.” I jumped up. “You want whipped cream?”
“No cream, and take your time. I’ll be back in another ten,” Toby called out as I walked away.
Toby came back in ten minutes, just as he said he would. I guess by now he knew exactly how long it took him to walk each corridor. We sat talking and drinking hot chocolate for another twenty minutes, then he excused himself to walk the route again.
“Thanks for hanging out,” I called out.
“Yeah, thanks for the hot chocolate.” Toby walked off.
I started removing as much elf gear as I could without undressing in the middle of the mall. As much as I wanted to stay by the fire, I knew I had to get in my hiding spot before Toby came back. I slowly stood and stretched, then threw my purse over my shoulder and went to my little house, my only house. I laid back and covered up with my blanket, just in case Toby came looking around. Before long, I was waking up. The mall lights had been dimmed, so I felt pretty confident Toby had gone for his nap. With a quick look at my watch, I saw that it was indeed after eleven. I didn’t have time to change clothes in the bathroom because Toby would be out again, but I did have to go to the bathroom.
I wonder if I should wear my wig or just go for it? What if that person was in the mall again?
I slowly crawled out, then stood and weaved in and out of the trees until I got to the opening and ran for the bathrooms. I made it in and back out of the bathroom and safely into the workshop. I wiggled out of my elf outfit and into my sweats, then laid back once again.
Ugh, now I’m not tired. I wonder if the mystery man is awake.
“Hey, you awake?”
Chapter 26
Asher
Icouldn’t stay late at the mall the night before. I had a date, and she wasn’t the type of girl I could tell about this. She was more of an “everyone look at me” type. She was beautiful to look at, so I couldn’t blame her, but there wasn’t much more to her. About an hour into the date, I realized I was bored. She literally had nothing to say or add to the conversation. I cut the night short, faking a bad headache, and had Mitch pick us up. Then I went to bed early.
“Good morning,” I said to Mitch when I climbed into the Hummer the next morning. “I think I’m gonna get one of these. I like how high up we sit.”
“It is a fun ride.” Mitch turned us into traffic. “Would you like me to look into that for you?”
