Page 67 of Unwrapping Romance

We pushed our filled carts up to the cashier, along with the kitchen and Barbie Dream House.

“You do know that all of this will not fit in the Escalade, right?”

“Then I need you to call someone to deliver the rest because I don’t think the store will do it.”

“Jack isn’t going to be happy about this,” he said.

“Jack isn’t here, is he? He sent me to shop on Black Friday for his daughter, and that’s what I’m doing.”

After standing in a massive line that increased my blood pressure, it was our turn to pay. Eric looked at me when the cashier gave the total. I happily pulled Jack’s credit card from my wallet and stuck it into the credit card reader. My phone rang. Becca was calling when I looked at it.

“Hello.”

“Where are you? I thought we were meeting for lunch?”

“We are. I’m checking out at the toy store now. I’ll be there soon. It’s chaos in here, Becca.”

“I bet.” She laughed.

Eric filled the back of the Escalade as full as he could and waited for the person he called to come with a large truck to carry the rest.

“I’m meeting Becca for lunch a couple of blocks over. We’ll walk.”

“Call me when you need me to pick you up,” he said.

The snow fell lightly as I held Ellie’s hand tightly while we walked to the restaurant. When we arrived, the hostess took us to the booth where Becca was waiting for us.

“Hi, Ellie.” Becca smiled.

“Hi.” She scooted into the booth.

“God, I need a drink and fast,” I said, removing my coat.

I ordered a glass of wine and an apple juice for Ellie. She sat quietly and colored while Becca and I talked.

“Where are you heading next?” Becca asked.

“Fifth Avenue to shop for myself.” I smiled.

“On Jack’s credit card?”

“Yep. He told me to compensate myself for him making me go out today. You should have seen that damn toy store. It was nuts. Mothers are nuts and complete psychos. I had this one toy in my hand, and the second I set it down, this woman ran over and grabbed it. Want to go to the Louis Vuitton store with me after lunch?” I grinned.

“You’re buying yourself a handbag?”

“You bet I am.”

After we ate, I had Eric pick us up.

“Eric, this is my best friend, Becca. Becca, this is Eric.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Becca.” He smiled.

“You too, Eric. Wow. So, this is what it’s like to be driven around the city.” She smiled. “I could get used to this.”

We walked into the Louis Vuitton store and were immediately greeted by a sales associate.

“How may I help you today?” He smiled.

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