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“I’ll remember to collect those kisses.”
“Good,” I tease.
“I’ll see you tonight, love. Be good.”
“I will.”
I let out a happy sigh. Talking to Jude always makes me happy. I’m tempted to ditch my trip to the mall and drive to his office instead to give him the kisses I promised. It would be more fun. Maybe next time. Today is about finding the perfect gifts for the man I love and his mom.
The engine of Jude’s 1970 Chevelle roars to life when I turn the key. I put up a fight when Jude handed me the keys to the fully restored muscle car. This is what my Nova could be if I had the money to put into it. I love the car, but driving it makes me anxious as hell. I’m so worried I’ll scratch it or wreck it. Jude laughed when I said as much and reminded me he owns a dozen shops and can fix any damage done to the car. Then he scolded me and told me I better be careful because wrecking the car could hurt me, and that was unacceptable.
It takes me ten minutes to find a parking spot. If I thought the mall was crazy when Jude brought me the other day, I was madly mistaken. Today, it’s pure chaos, and people are grouchy. I’ve been given so many dirty looks it’s crazy. I even got yelled at by a little old lady for pausing to look in a store window. Apparently window shopping isn’t allowed on the day before Christmas Eve.
I wander around for an hour before I finally see something promising. The shop isn’t as busy as others letting me relax for the first time since I got to the mall. The store smells amazing, like Christmas and hot apple pie. Everything in the store is obviously handmade and high quality. There’s everything from crochet blankets to jewelry. Soaps, lotions, and candles too. I instantly fall in love with the store and don’t understand how they aren’t flooded with people like the other stores that sell commercialized crap.
“Welcome to Serendipity! I’m June. How can I help you?” says a beautiful older woman with a friendly smile.
“Hello, your store is amazing.”
She smiles and proudly looks around. “It’s actually my daughter’s store. I’m helping for the holidays.”
“Well, it’s lovely. I don’t even know where to look first.”
She laughs. “Well, why don’t you tell me what you’re looking for, and I’ll point you in the right direction.”
“I’m not really sure. I need to find something for my boyfriend and his mom. He seems to have everything, and I don’t know her very well.”
She nods and thinks for a moment. “What do you know about his mom?”
“She’s very big on family. Her husband died a long time ago and she hasn’t dated since. She’s super close to Jude, and from what he’s told me, she’s a wonderful mom, even if she meddles a little more than he’d like.”
“Hmm… what about mother’s jewelry? We have several different bracelets and necklaces with birthstones and birth month flowers. We can even engrave it.”
“Oh, that’s a great idea!”
For the first time, I’m actually excited about picking something for Jude’s mother. I know it won’t be as fancy as the jewelry she could get for herself, but hopefully, she’ll recognize it’s the thought that counts. June leads me to a display case that has dozens of options. I quickly decide against the birthstone options. They are all pretty, but I know they can’t compare to a genuine gemstone, and I wouldn’t want to embarrass her by buying a cheap imitation.
I find a beautiful pendant with Jude’s birth month flower encased in resin. It’s set in silver with delicate leaves and vines holding the resin in place. I’ve never seen anything like it before and decide it’s perfect.
“Ah, good choice. That’s one of my daughter’s designs.”
“She’s so talented. It’s beautiful.”
“Do you want to buy a chain for it or just the pendant?”
“A chain, too, please.”
She shows me several options and I pick one that doesn’t take away from the delicate feeling of the vines. I’m a little nervous about how much money I’m spending, but I try to push that aside. I don’t want my money troubles tainting the joy of gift-giving. My money woes will still be there after Christmas. For now, I want to focus on all the good things.
“Why don’t you look around while I wrap this up. Maybe you’ll get an idea for your boyfriend,” June says with a smile.
“Thanks. I’ll do that.”
Everything I see is amazing. The crocheted blankets are so soft and beautifully made. I want to curl up under one with a good book in front of Jude’s fireplace. There are knitted scarves with matching hats and gloves, even sweaters that are so soft and luxurious. If I had a limitless budget, I would buy one of everything.
Even though I shouldn’t, I pick up one of the hand-crafted candles, it's the same Christmas scent filling the store. I haven’t splurged on something for myself in a long, long time. I’ve circled back to the jewelry counter, finding nothing for Jude. I’m admiring all the pretties when a thick silver band with a black iridescent stone running along the center of the silver catches my eye.
“Can I see that ring?” I ask June.
