LITMIR.BIZ

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look at me like that.’ Nick got up and walked toward the bathroom while Charlie plodded over to her bed to wait for him to get ready.

      ***

      On the way to work, Nick’s shoulders lifted slightly. He tried to hold onto the loose feeling in his body from the run, but it proved to be a challenging task. His fingers tensed around the steering wheel of his Lexus as lyrics of a magical snowman floated from his speakers. The town had started its transformation into the holiday season. Workers stood on cherry pickers, placing lit snowflakes against tall poles. Wreaths hung from most of the business doors while artificial snow collected at the corners of the windows.

      A text came through on the console in his car, and Nick glanced at the name.

      ‘I’m on my way,’ he said into the speaker before the phone sent the text off to his dad. He’d never been late for work but always had to be on his toes.

      The mall loomed next to him as he drove past the entrance toward corporate parking. Knowing he had a meeting with his father in about a half hour, Nick needed more coffee to lubricate the conversation. A pastry would help too.

      The valet lot was in the back of the mall. Nick stepped out of his car and straightened his tie. A young guy dressed in a puffy vest and hat branded with the Westford Mall logo walked over to him.

      ‘Good morning, Mr Bower,’ he said, as a white cloud billowed from his mouth. It seemed to be colder than earlier that morning during his run.

      ‘Morning,’ Nick said, handing over his keys before rounding the lot toward the street.

      The sign for Kevin’s Café beckoned Nick to pick up his pace.

      Years ago, Nick had negotiated the contract for the café. At the time, his father took a lot of convincing that the café wouldn’t take money away from the food court, and that it would be a draw for the mall instead. Patrons loved the coffee, so they tended to stick around to shop while sipping from their lattes.

      Entering the café, the strong scent of freshly ground coffee filled his nose. The light from the hazy December sun cascaded down through the front windows. Nick unzipped his coat and stepped into the line already six people deep.

      While waiting, he scrolled through several emails to get a head start on work.

      ‘Two everything bagels with extra cream cheese,’ the woman in front of him ordered.

      While Nick only really wanted to order for his dad, the thought of a bagel made his stomach growl.

      Vickie, the twenty-something barista, caught his eye as she started on the food. She winked her false eyelashes at him. ‘The usual?’

      ‘Yes,’ Nick said. ‘Also, a scone and a wheat bagel with lite vegetable cream cheese.’

      ‘Toasted?’ she asked.

      ‘No,’ Nick said, checking the time on his platinum watch.

      The woman in front of him glanced over. She did a double take and her eyebrows arched before she turned back to Vickie.

      Nick had no idea what that look was for, but he couldn’t help moving closer to explain himself. ‘Your order sounded good.’

      ‘I can’t stand wheat bagels. I mean, what’s the point if you’re not going all in?’ she said.

      Nick smiled at her. ‘Should I change my order?’

      The woman smiled, and her light green eyes crinkled at the corners before she turned back to her phone. ‘Do whatever you want.’ She was several inches shorter than him, wearing workout gear and a puffy red jacket. Under a knitted gray hat, her shiny dark brown hair almost reached the middle of her back. The same style of gloves peeked out from her pockets.

      ‘Are you starting your Christmas shopping early this year?’ Nick couldn’t help himself. He wanted to think it was more because of his line of work than wanting to talk to her.

      ‘Already done,’ she said. ‘I’m an online shopper.’

      Nick winced. Not what he expected, but at least she was honest. She also had no idea what he did for a living. ‘Are you from around here?’

      The woman cut a look his way. ‘I grew up in Brookside.’

      ‘A local?’

      ‘Does that surprise you?’ she asked, finally putting down her phone.

      He cleared his throat, lifting his hands in surrender. ‘You have enough outerwear for a trip to Alaska.’

      Vickie came back with her order and rang her up. The woman handed over her card to pay.

      The woman pulled the hat from her head, smoothing her hair back. ‘I’ve lived in California for years. I’m so not used to the cold anymore.’ She unzipped her jacket, revealing another layer.

      Nick wanted to ask her where in California, but Vickie spoke first. ‘It’s not working.’ She held the card between them.

      The woman wrinkled the paper bag of bagels she held close to her chest as if she wasn’t willing to let it go without a fight. ‘Please try again.’

      The door opened, letting another gust of cold air into the café, and three more people joined the already growing line.

      Vickie shrugged, holding the card between two fingers. ‘I’ve tried it twice, and it’s not going through.’

      The woman lowered her voice. ‘Please try it one more time.’

      Vickie sighed and tried again.

      The same double beep sounded from the machine.

      Vickie raised her thick eyebrows at the woman. ‘Do you have cash?’

      The woman blew out a breath. ‘I can’t believe this.’

      ‘Do you have another card?’ Vickie made a point to examine the line behind them. It was almost to the door now.

      ‘What’s the hold-up?’ someone behind them asked.

      Nick glared at the guy.

      The woman at the counter looked as if she wanted to crawl into the bag she gripped in her hands.

      ‘Here,’ Nick said, handing his card to Vickie.

      The woman scowled at him. This time her eyes held an edge of skepticism. ‘You don’t have to do that.’

      ‘It’s fine,’ he said.

      Her eyes narrowed as she looked him up and down. ‘No, really.’

      ‘You need to pay for your stuff,’ Vickie said.

      ‘Just take the card,’ Nick said, handing it over. ‘It’s no big deal.’

      Vickie swiped the card and handed it to him.

      ‘I’m paying it forward—’ Nick’s words dried on his tongue as the woman was already halfway to the door.

      Vicki turned to the next customer as she slid Nick’s bag across the counter. ‘See you tomorrow.’

      The woman was already at the door before Nick caught up with her. Couldn’t she even thank him? He misjudged the distance between himself and the door as two teens rushed inside. The door swung so quickly that the collision was inevitable. He braced himself as he gripped his coffee. The door nailed the lid, and the flimsy cup buckled under the weight. The searing hot liquid splashed his shirt, coursing down his chest.

      The two teens linked hands and joined the line as if they had no idea what they had done. Apparently, it was a day for rude people.

      The woman whipped around, and her jaw dropped at the sight of him. She gave an apologetic smile and wave before taking off across the street. The countdown of the walk signal at the traffic lights wasn’t enough for him to safely catch up to her.

      Nick wasn’t about to get into another accident

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