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“I made them with Emme.”
The girl gasped, placing her hand on her chest. “That must mean they’re friendship bracelets.” She pulled back her sleeve and extended her arm, showing her wrist. “I have a few, too.”
Allie leaned closer and pointed at the one in the middle. “That’s pretty.”
The girl pointed to the beaded one. “Do you want to trade?”
What the fuck? Hades was beyond confused, but it must have been a thing. Allie eagerly pulled off one of hers and switched with the salesgirl. Allie slipped it on her wrist and looked over at him with a wide grin, holding up her arm. This was beyond his scope of understanding, but he wouldn’t question it if it got this process of buying Vada’s gift done.
“I’m Allie.”
“Hi, Allie, I’m Vanessa. Or Van, that’s what my friends call me.” She looked down at the jewelry case. “So, who are you shopping for? Your friend, Emme?”
“Um…” Allie looked back at Hades.
Hades lifted his chin. “Tell her.”
Allie turned, placing her hands on the glass. The man who had been watching them since they first walked in cleared his throat, and Allie yanked her hands down to her sides. Hades straightened and sent him a sharp glare.
“Is there a problem?”
The man immediately retreated but seemed to double down with the safety of the counter between them.
“The glass” —he swallowed— “it’s very delicate. And the oils from fingers leave marks.”
Are you fucking serious, asshole?
“And we have cleaner that wipes them off,” Vanessa said, rolling her eyes. She brought her focus back to Allie and deliberately pressed her hands on the glass.
See that, asshole? Fuck off.
“So, Allie? Who are you shopping for?”
“My mom. She’s marrying my dad on Saturday.”
Hades stifled his laugh when the girl widened her eyes and quickly peeked over at him. But he had to give her credit; she recovered quickly. “That’s exciting. Are you the flower girl?”
“Yes!”
“That’s so fun.” Vanessa grinned, waving Allie over to the other end of the cases. “You need the perfect mom gift, right?”
“It has to be special,” Allie blurted.
Ah, this kid.
“Well, I think we might have exactly what you’re looking for.” Vanessa reached into the case and pulled out a tray of necklaces.
Hades followed them but kept his distance, just watching over Allie. This was her thing for Vada.
Allie leaned over the tray, inspecting each one. Vanessa rested her arms on the glass, intently watching Allie. As if she knew exactly which one his daughter would choose, she smiled and glanced up at Hades the second Allie shouted.
“That one!”
Hades walked up behind Allie, looking down to where she was pointing. It was a thin, roped gold chain with a charm on the end. A heart with “Mom” written in the center and a tiny diamond encased in the center of the two M’s.
“Is it seventy-five dollars?” Allie asked.
Vanessa took out the necklace and flipped over the tag. Her lips tugged down slightly, and she looked over at him. It was evident the price was much higher. Hades gave a sharp nod, and she smiled down at Allie.
