Page 46 of Santa Daddy, I'm Not the One

“Psst.”

In a daze, I glanced at Sarah. “Huh?”

“Go talk to him,” she whispered fiercely.

I pointed at myself, and she nodded. I shook my head.

“Go. He’s interested. If you don’t, I’m going to set him up.”

“Fine.”

Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I walked to the aisle where the stranger had disappeared. He studied a shelf of action figures, his tall frame blocking most of the light from above. Heturned slightly at my approach, his gaze finding mine again, this time with an unreadable expression.

“Hello,” I said, my voice sounding steadier than I felt. “Can I help you find anything?”

“Uh, yeah. I’m looking for a train.”

As I moved nearer, the scent of cedar and pine tickled my nose—just like the scent in my dream. My heart missed a beat. Could this be the man I had been dreaming about?

Of course not. Those dreams were interfering with my reality.

“I have a few I can show you.”

“Thanks.”

I showed him several options, stumbling through my description of their features, but his interest in the toys seemed superficial. His eyes kept drifting back to me, studying me with an intensity that made my skin tingle.

“Do we know each other?” I finally asked.

He hesitated. “Why do you ask? Do you…remember something?”

“No, just the way you’re looking at me.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. You should eat more. You’re so thin.”

How rude. I glared at him, but he’d already turned toward the door. Panic rose within me, and I almost shouted for him to wait, but I stopped myself at the last minute. Bracing an arm on a shelf to steady myself, I took several breaths.

Sarah hurried over, looking alarmed. “Landon, are you okay?”

“Yeah, just a dizzy spell.”

“Did you eat breakfast?”

“A bit.”

“Not enough. Go put your feet up in the office. I’ll take care of the store.”

“Are you sure?” I didn’t want to leave her alone, but after meeting that man, I felt off-kilter. I needed a few minutes to orient myself.

“Positive. Now go.”

I gave a slow nod, trying to shake the weird feeling that had descended on me. As I walked away from the shop floor, I glanced back at where the stranger had stood. Who was he?

In the quiet solitude of my office, I rested my head on the desk, feeling suddenly overwhelmed. The scent of cedar and pine still filled my nostrils as if it was determined to make sure I didn’t forget him.

The hours until my session with Dr. Song couldn’t pass fast enough.

18

---