The Christmas Present

However if Mitch felt that way he didn’t show it. “Really?” he said “That would be great I was thinking I’d have to resort to giving her money.”

“No problem” Sharni said “I like choosing presents especially if I don’t have to pay for them.”

Mitch grinned. “I’m the reverse. I don’t mind paying, I just wish someone else would do the shopping.”

They both laughed and Sharni wondered if he was thinking the same way she was, that they’d make a good couple. She hoped so.

When they finished their coffee Mitch said “so where do we begin?”

“Jewellery store” she said with a smile.

As they shopped they talked. Sharni discovered quite a bit about Mitch. She found out that he was a loan manager at a local bank, that for whatever reason he was definitely single, and had an older sister with a son and a daughter. She also found that he had a great sense of humour and when he pulled her out of the path of a careering trolley that his hands were strong and felt incredible on her body.

Sharni shivered as he released her “thank you.”

“No worries” he said smiling down at her.

A few minutes later they found the perfect gift for his sixteen year old niece. As they’d looked Sharni had asked him about her and with the information she received she was able to steer him in the right direction.

“Thank you so much” he said as they walked out of the store and made their way towards the exit. “I’d never have found something like that on my own.”

“That’s okay” Sharni said with a pleased blush. She was happy to have been able to help him. That made her feel good but she couldn’t help but wish it had taken longer to find it. She’d have liked to have spent more time with Mitch. Ah well, back to reality. At her car she turned to him and said “Nice to have met you Mitch. Have a great Christmas.”

“You too Sharni” he said and then looking away he paused before adding “would you like meet up for a coffee again some time?”

The Christmas Present

“You don’t need to do that” Sharni said.

“I’d like to” he said with a smile.

Sharni hesitated. She was unsure about the wisdom of such a move. No matter how gorgeous he was, she didn’t know anything about him.

“If you have time that is?” he added.

She didn’t really have time but looking into those eyes she was having trouble saying no. Figuring as she was in a shopping centre with about a million other people she was reasonably safe she agreed. “Okay, thanks.”

His smile widened. “Good” he said “let’s go.”

With Mitch pushing the trolley they walked back through the carpark. He deposited the trolley in one of the collection bays and they made their way into the shopping centre. Dodged milling shoppers he said “where’s the best place to go? I don’t come in here often enough to know.”

Sharni smiled and pointing to the left she said “there’s a little place down here that’s quieter than the food court.”

He smiled “sounds good. Lead the way.”

The café Sharni led him to wasn’t full but they were busy. Most people it seemed were too busy shopping to sit so they were just getting something to go. They sat down at table and after asking her what she’d like Mitch got up and went up to the counter to order. Sharni watched him as he stood at the counter. His long legs were encased in jeans that fitted him well. On top he was wearing a red polo shirt that hugged his toned upper body. He really was a gorgeous looking man and Sharni couldn’t believe he was there with her.

A minute or so later Mitch came back with their coffees and sitting down opposite her he held up his cup and said “cheers.”

Sharni smiled and reaching out she clinked cups with him before taking a sip.

“Is this your local shopping centre?” he said.

“Yes, pretty much. You?”

“I guess so” he said. “But as I said I don’t come here much. I have to say I avoid shopping as much as possible.”

Sharni smiled “at this time of year I try to avoid it too.”

“Are you finished now?”

“I hope so. I don’t want to come back here before Christmas, except for food. How about you, are you done?”

“I just have one more, but I have no idea what to buy so I gave up on it for tonight. I have no idea what teenage girls want these days.”

Sharni smiled “they can be difficult. What’s your budget?”

“Fifty dollars, it’s for my niece.”

“I could help you after we finish our coffee if you like” she said with some hesitation. She wanted to help him but didn’t want to push herself on him.

Loss and Longing

Stevie giggled, she couldn’t agree more. “Fingers crossed,” she said, her hand reaching out and finding its way to his thigh.

It was Grant’s turn to groan now and gritting his teeth, he said “I don’t think you want to leave that there, not unless you want me to pull up on the side of the road.”

Stevie laughed and removed her hand.                                                                                                                         

And when they reached his house, Grant had not even shut the front door before he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom.

Later lying with her legs entwined with his on his bed, the sheet a tangled mess at their feet, Stevie said “well that outing went well.”

Grant smiled “no one can say we didn’t try but maybe next time we should plan to come here first.”

Stevie laughed. “Yes that may work better. Not that I’m pushing to go out again. I like being here with you.”

Grant looked at her for a minute, his expression serious, “I like you being here too” he said and leaning forward he kissed her.

When Grant dropped her home later that night he got out and pulling her onto his arms he held her for a long time before releasing her.

“Talk to you soon” he said as he moved back.

Stevie knew he was referring to their now regular late night texting routine. It made leaving him each time a little easier, knowing that the last thing she’d see at night would be his words saying good night. “I’ll look forward to it” she said.

“Be careful on the roads” she said and raised a hand as he got into his car again.

Grant waved and pulled away.

“You coming around tomorrow night?” his first text that night said.

“I was hoping you’d ask” she sent “I have a free evening.”

“You don’t have to wait for me to ask. You have a standing invitation. Come by when you’re ready. I’ll cook.”

“It must be my turn” she sent.

“Doesn’t matter. Plenty of time for you to catch up.”

“I should be there by six” she sent.

“Sounds good, I’ll plan to eat at eight.”

“That’s late” she teased, “what are we going to do while we wait?”

“We’ll think of something” he sent back.

Stevie shivered and smiled as she typed “I’m looking forward to it.”

 “See you tomorrow. Night.”

“Night.”

The Christmas Present

Moving her trolley back towards him Sharni said “I’ll get it.”

He smiled “thanks. I think maybe I should have got one of those” he indicated her trolley. “I’m new to this.”

“You don’t normally shop?” Sharni asked as she picked up the box.

“Not really no. My wife always did it” he said looking away.        

“Oh” she said feeling a stab of disappointment at hearing he was married. She should have known. Anyone who looked like him would never be single. Still she couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to change his shopping situation.

“When I was married” he added answering her question without her having to ask. His eyes were still averted.

“Right” she said relieved but still curious. “Um would you like me to get you a trolley or if you’re parked this way” she pointed to her left “you could share mine.”

“I am down that way” he said meeting her gaze with a smile “thanks.”

“No worries. I’ll put this” she held up the box of his she’d picked up “in the trolley and maybe some of the ones on top?” she asked waiting for him to agree before grabbing some of the smaller boxes threatening to topple onto the ground.

When she’d finished the trolley was full but the pile in his hands was more manageable. “Okay your stuff is on top so point me in the direction of your car” she asked as they walked towards the rows of cars.

“It’s on the left, down near the bottom, a silver four wheel drive.”

“This one?” she said as they approached the fourth last car in the row, an expensive imported model.

“That’s it” he said with a smile. They unloaded his purchases into the cargo section of his car. “Where are you?” he said grabbing the trolley.

“That’s okay” Sharni said “I can do my stuff.”

“No way” he said “the least I can do is help.”

She smiled “I’m two up” she said pointing to her older sedan.

He wheeled the trolley up to the back of her car and Sharni opened the boot. He helped her put her bags in the boot. When she shut the lid and he was left holding the empty trolley he said “my name’s Mitch.”

“Sharni” she said.

“Can I buy you a coffee as a thank you?”       

The Christmas Present

At thirty four and a repeat offender in the single stakes, Sharni was always on the look-out for eligible men. However that search didn’t normally extend to a queue in a department store at Christmas. It was not the optimal place to meet someone. It was difficult to get beyond a greeting and she would have liked to have done that with him. So it was with some regret that she left the store to continue her shopping. 

With shiny auburn hair, blue eyes and a well proportioned figure Sharni didn’t have trouble getting the attention of men, but she never seemed to be able to hang on to them. They all tended to lose interest after a while or she did. She didn’t know why that was but she hoped with the next man, it would be different. 

After ordering a chicken and picking up some nuts for Christmas day, her contribution to the meal at her parents, all Sharni had to do for this trip to the shops was to get something for her dinner that night. She’s come straight to the shops from work, knowing if she sat down at home she wouldn’t have left again and she’d have been another day down and even further behind. With her bags weighing her down she headed for the supermarket. 

Half an hour later Sharni was heading out to her car having picked up a trolley to save her arms. She had just walked out of the carpark door when she heard a crash and a male voice say “damn” behind her.

Turning she saw the same brown eyed Christmas present. At his feet was a box that had obviously fallen from the heap in his arms. There was no way he could pick the box up without putting all the rest down.