Authors: Janet A. Mota
Chapter 5
Shopping Trip
Dylan
It’s too damn early to be at the mall. Miranda was true to her word though and brought me an extra-large coffee. I hate dealing with crowds but if I run into Amber then it will all be worth it. I can’t get her out of mind and I can’t wait to see her again. Her beautiful face has been on my mind since she left on Christmas Eve. I really wish she would’ve come over yesterday but she insisted that she had chores to do. Who does chores on Christmas day? I really hope she didn’t make that up in order to stay away from me. If she doesn’t want to see me again, I want her to tell me that. I have a certain pull to her but I don’t want to creep her out if she doesn’t feel the same for me.
“I’m going into The Closet. Are you coming in?” Miranda says.
“No. I’ll wait out here.” She nods and disappears into the store.
I watch people walk by but they don’t interest me. I turn and look at the window displays. The store has very nice woman’s clothing and the displays are creative. No wonder Miranda loves this store. I think she got three gift cards to this store for Christmas. A minute later, Miranda comes rushing out.
“Dylan!”
“What? What’s wrong?” I look around, instantly on alert.
“You have to come back in there with me right now.” She says as she catches her breath.
“Why?”
“Amber works here.”
I don’t respond. I turn and head into the store. She giggles and follows me back in. I look around the store and spot her behind the counter. She looks like she is ringing up a customer. She looks gorgeous. Her long hair is pulled up into a ponytail. She has minimal makeup on yet she looks so amazing. She’s a natural beauty and I can’t pull my eyes away from her. She finishes with her customer and I head toward the counter. She’s cleaning some paperwork up when I reach her. She turns just then and we come face to face. I smile at her.
“Good morning.” I say.
I can see that I fluster her. “Hi. What are you doing here?”
“Miranda dragged me along on her day after Christmas shopping adventure. I followed her into this store and there you are. So, I came to say hello.”
She nods her head in understanding. “That sucks. I hate shopping and it sucks even more that I work at a mall.”
“I don’t mind the shopping. I’m not a fan of crowds.”
She looks around and spots Miranda and waves at her. Miranda waves back. “I should get back to work.”
“What time do you go to lunch? I would love to take you to get something to eat.”
“That’s really nice but I only have a thirty minute lunch break. I brought something from home anyway.” She looks behind her and I glance at her name tag. She’s the store assistant manager.
“Okay. Maybe next time.” She nods. “I’ll let you get back to work.”
“Thanks for coming in and saying hello.” I smile at her, give her a wave and head out of the store.
****
Miranda
I watch my brother walk out of the store looking so defeated. He looks as if someone just kicked his puppy and my heart breaks for him. I understand Amber’s reluctance but she also needs to understand that Dylan is not the type of guy that runs from a challenge. Not only that, he’s one of the most honest people I know. If he can’t handle something in Amber’s life, he will tell her and he won’t lead her on.
I finish picking out my purchases and head toward the counter. When it’s my turn, an associate waves me up and I politely tell her that I’ll wait for Amber. Amber smiles at me and quickly finishes with her customer. She waves me over and I place my purchases on the counter.
“Hi Miranda. It’s great to see you.”
“Hi. I’m happy to see you too and you work at my favorite store.”
She laughs. “It’s not so fun when you work here.”
“Yeah right. I’m sure your employee discount is pretty awesome.”
“I’ve never used it. I can’t afford these clothes even though I love it all.” She shrugs and continues to ring me up.
“I’m sorry Amber.” I say, suddenly humbled that I am blessed to be able to shop in this type of store. She shakes her head.
“No need to apologize. It is what it is.” She finishes scanning the last shirt and presses some buttons. “Your total is $55.42.”
I stare at her for a second while doing the calculations in my head. My purchases equaled just over one hundred dollars. “That can’t be right.”
“I gave you my employee discount.” She flashes me a big smile.
“That’s not necessary.”
“I know. I want to.” She shrugs and smiles back.
“Thank you. I really appreciate it.” I pull out one of the gift cards and finish the transaction. “Can I ask you something?” I ask as she hands me the receipt.
“Of course.”
“Did my brother just ask you out?” Her smile drops and she looks down at her shoes. She walks around the counter and comes to stand next to me.
“He wanted to take me to lunch on my break. Unfortunately, I only get a half hour break so I had to turn him down.”
I nod my understanding. “Listen, I am sorry if I am overstepping my bounds but you should give him a chance. He’s a great guy and extremely honest. He’s also very trustworthy. You can trust him to tell you if something is too much for him to handle.”
“I like him. I want to go out with him but I am afraid of getting hurt.”
“I know but give him a chance. I think it will be great for the two of you.”
“Thank you for the advice.” She gives me a shy smile.
“Walk me to the door.” I say and we both giggle.
When we get to the door, she says goodbye to me and waves Dylan over. I step away to give them some privacy. He was sitting on a bench next to a kiosk in the center of the mall. He walks over to her. Amber’s cheeks get a slight pink tint to them as she talks to Dylan. I smile and look away. A minute later, Dylan is standing next to me and he’s grinning from ear to ear.
“I’m guessing she called you over for a good reason.”
“She asked me to her house for dinner tomorrow night.” I had to laugh at the grin on his face. “Her brother and sister will be there too but we are making some headway.”
“I’m happy for you.” I take a deep breath. “You need to always be honest with her and don’t lead her on. She’s taking a huge risk.”
He looks at me with a puzzled expression. “I promise to do right by her.”
“Great. Now, I need to finish my shopping.” He grunts and I laugh.
Chapter 6
Dinner
Amber
Dylan will be here in an hour and I’m so nervous. I have never cooked for a guy before. My brother and sister came in from New Orleans late last night and I had to open the store this morning. I haven’t mentioned anything to them yet about Dylan. I’ll be honest…I’m a chicken shit. I’m scared that they won’t approve but I have to tell them before he gets here. I’m not going to blindside them either. They are on school break for a few more days and stay home while I work. My brother turns eighteen in a few months and my sister will be fourteen in the summer. He graduates high school in May and she’ll be starting high school in the fall. It has been a very long six years. Teenagers are tough but I love them so much. We have gotten through all obstacles and will continue to do so. My biggest worry these days is what college my brother has chosen to attend. I will help in any way I can but I’m pretty sure my help will be very minuscule since every penny I make goes to bills and making sure there is always food on the table. I will make sure that it works and they get the education needed to succeed. Right now, I have to put my big girl panties on and tell them about our dinner guest.
“Evan! Mia!” I call out for them. I hear a door open and Evan appears with Mia right behind him.
“What’s up?” Evan asks as he walks up to me in the kitchen. Mia goes to the china cabinet and pulls out the usual three plates.
“Can you both have a seat at the table for a minute? I want to talk to you about something.” They both sit at the table and I join them.
“Is everything okay?” Mia asks with worry in her eyes.
“Yes, everything is fine.” I take a deep breath and continue. “We are having a dinner guest tonight.”
“Cool.” Evan says and shrugs his shoulders.
“It’s a guy.” I say and watch their reactions. Nothing. They are both staring at me like they are waiting for the punch line. “Are you okay with that?”
“Is this a casual thing or do you like him?” Evan asks.
“I like him.”
“I think it’s great and I can’t wait to meet him.” Mia says as she stands and adds another plate to her pile.
“Thank you Mia.” Evan is just sitting there staring at me.
“Can I ask you something?” He asks.
“Of course.”
“Why didn’t you go out on a real date with him?”
“I don’t want to leave you guys out of this. You and Mia come with me. He either loves us all or none of us.” Evan sits up and puts his hand on mine.
“You should be going out on a real date with him. I realize what you’re doing and I appreciate it but you have put your life on hold long enough. You are an exceptional big sister and I have no idea what would have happened to Mia and I if you didn’t step up like you did. We are so lucky to have you but we also understand everything you have sacrificed to make sure we never wanted for anything.” He looks at Mia and she nods in agreement. “Please don’t hold yourself back because of us. We want to see you happy for once.”
“I am happy. You both are my world. Seeing you happy makes me happy.”
“We know that but we want you to do for yourself too.” He stands and embraces me. I feel Mia come behind me and I’m sandwiched between them. I love these two so much. My heart swells at what Evan just told me and I am so proud of them.
“I need to finish dinner. Dylan will be here soon.” They let me go and I go check on the chicken and place a pot of water on the stove.
“Can you tell us a little about him?” Mia asks as she and Evan set the table.
“As you know, I spent Christmas Eve with Miranda and her family. Well, Dylan is her brother. We hit it off. He has asked me out a few times since and it hasn’t worked out. I decided that I would ask him over for dinner and the three of us could get to know him.”
Evan sniffs the air. “Are you making Chicken Parmesan?”
“I am.”
“My fave! I’m starving.” Evan says as the doorbell rings.
I wipe my hands on my apron and give them a nervous smile. They both give me thumbs up as I walk to the door. I feel like my heart is going to beat right out of my chest. I check my face in the hall mirror.
As good as it’s going to get
. I open the door and the most magnificent sight stands before me.
****
Dinner went off without a hitch. Evan, Mia and I asked questions and Dylan asked us questions. We got to know a lot about each other and now I really like him. He’s smart, funny and has his life in order. I learned that he isn’t trying to have a good time but he’s trying to establish a future. He’s a financial analyst for a pretty big corporation who honors family values. He just bought a house and wants to get married. He loves sports and hates the gym. He works out but outside of the gym. He loves to spend time with family and loves movies. There hasn’t been anything that I don’t like so far.
I stand up to clear the plates. “Oh no you don’t.” Dylan stands. “You cooked, I’ll clean up. Please sit and relax.” Evan and Mia stand quickly.
“We’ll help.” Mia says and the three of them proceed to clean up. Dylan is washing, Evan is drying and Mia is putting away. The banter between the three of them has me laughing so hard. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much. He fits in with us.
When all is clean, Mia suggests a game of Monopoly. “That would have to be Dylan’s decision. He might have to work tomorrow.” I say.
“I am actually off until after the New Year. Our boss closed the company for two weeks.” Dylan says and smiles. “I would love to play.”
“Generous boss.” I say and smile.
“He is and believes that no one should have to ask for the holidays off. It has been an amazing company to work for. Do you work tomorrow?”
“I do. I start at ten and finish at six.”
Mia sets up the game and it was the best Monopoly game ever played.