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A Light Lunch And Some Shopping

“Do you have anything else set up for today?” Bryce asked as he picked up his pastrami and swiss on marble rye.

“No. Just the one audition this morning. I was thinking I’d do some Christmas shopping and see if any dance ads jumped out at me.” Veronica stirred crushed saltines into her vegetable soup.

“Well, better the dance ads than this Krampus character.”

“Yeah, anyway. Who even heard of this?”

“First I’ve heard of it. She said it’s been going on for years but I guess I wasn’t watching the right channel.”

“Well, at least it’s not personal. I’d hate to start getting paranoid about this guy.”

“You wouldn’t think he would be so hard to find.”

“How do you figure?” Veronica leaned in.

“Anybody who can carry two hundred pounds of coal up on the roof and toss it off has got to stick out. For one thing, he’s got to be seriously jacked. For another thing, you’ve got a guy with a huge red bag walking around a building. Nobody saw this guy? Seems to me, he’d stick out like a sore thumb.”

“I don’t really want to think about it. Hopefully, he’ll pick on someone else next time.”

“I’ll drink to that.” Bryce picked up his ginger ale and clinked her cup of iced tea.

She smiled at that. “So, were you thinking of an idea for your new book while you waited for me?”

“No.”

“What were you thinking about?”

“Just having a panic attack.”

“Oh no! The bag missed us. I don’t think it’s anything to worry about.”

“Huh?” Bryce shook his head. “No, not about the bag thing.”

“Oh. What then? Are you okay?”

He looked at the concern on her pretty face and he was even more confused than before. “Just overthinking things, really.”

“You read the text.” She looked down at her soup.

“Yes.”

She looked up as if to say something and then looked back down to focus on her stirring.

“I don’t know what to think about that.” Bryce looked down at his sandwich.

“I didn’t mean anything by it. I can be impulsive sometimes.” She whispered.

“Would you like me to come shopping with you?” He picked up a potato chip and popped it into his mouth.

“Yes. Would you like to come shopping with me?” She looked at him and then back down at her soup.

“I’d like that a lot.”

“Why?”

He looked up from his plate and saw her studying him. “Well, I wasn’t expecting to see you today. Now that we’re here having lunch, if I’m being honest, I don’t really want it to end.”

Her expression softened. “Neither do I.”

“Well, it’s settled then.” He smiled.

“I guess it is.” She smiled back.

“This pastrami is to die for. How’s your soup?”

“I don’t know how they do it. It’s so homey and warm. It’s like they’ve got a team of grandmas back there just making the soup perfect.”

“Maybe they do.”

She laughed. Her smile made the corners of nose crinkle up in such an adorable way. The warm, golden tones of her eyes reflected the gentle mirth of her laughter. He drank it all up eagerly.

“So, what’s on the itinerary? Where do you want to go shopping?”

“Actually, I was hoping you’d come along because I have no idea.”

“Oh, so the truth comes out.”

“Yep, I’m going to shanghai you into my Christmas shopping crew so I don’t wind up wandering around blindly.”

“Aye, aye, Captain. I’ll keep you on course.”

She smiled broadly and returned eagerly to her soup. He watched her for a moment and then began working on his sandwich and chips again.

“So, Plattsboro.” He said.

“You remembered?”

“It’s not everyday I meet someone from Plattsboro. It makes an impression.”

“Kind of like that dress.”

“Well, that definitely made an impression.”

“I hope so because it’s probably the last time I’m wearing it.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“No?”

“You’d look good in anything.”

“I don’t know about that.” She laughed as she blew over a spoonful of soup.

“I do. There’s a lot more to you than looks. You’ve got spirit. It’s probably what makes you such a spectacular dancer. Some people wear fancy clothes but there’s nothing there. You could wear rags and you’d make it look like a ball gown. That’s the kind of person you are.”

She blushed and dropped her spoon. It bounced off the rim of the bowl and tumbled to the floor. She lunged down to get it and so did he.

“Ow!” She came back up with her hand on her head.

“Are you alright?” He was massaging his head as well. “I’ll get you another spoon.”

“It’s okay. I’m basically done.”

“Alright, are you okay to go shopping?”

“Can’t wait.” She smiled sweetly and scrunched her shoulders up to her ears.

He pulled her coat off of the chair and held it for her to slide her arms into the sleeves. The corners of her mouth pinched up into adorable dimples as she twirled into her coat. He couldn’t help but smile.

“What sort of presents are you looking for?” He asked as he slipped his own coat on.

“Well, I’d like to get a thank you gift for my cousin for letting me stay over.”

“Hmm, cheese logs and sausages.”

She gave him a shocked look and giggled. “Aim higher, buster.”

“Ah, crocheted doilies. I know just the place.”

She snorked and slapped at his shoulder. “No way. Find me something classy, Mister.”

He reached out a gloved hand. She took it. “I know exactly what you’re looking for. Do you trust me?”

“Well, you did save my life.” She rolled her eyes at him.

“I’m going to call a Ryde.”

“Intriguing.”