Page 104 of Merry Me
“Run?” I asked, only half joking.
He didn’t hesitate. His grip on my hand tightened. “Definitely run.”
We wove through crowds, dodging shoppers and blinking reindeer displays, sprinting past a toddler sobbing in Santa’s lap, nearly colliding with an inflatable snowman the size of a sedan.
“I blame you!” I gasped, my hair flying, boots slipping slightly on the polished floor. “You and your stupid jawline!”
He threw a wicked grin over his shoulder. “Don’t forget my abs. They’re also very recognizable.”
“I’m actively regretting knowing you!”
“Liar.”
We veered left into a narrow corridor, hoping the detour would shake them off. Ducking behind a giant inflatable Santa, we crouched down, both of us gasping for breath.
Or at least I was. Easton looked mildly winded at best. Seriously…what was with all the exercise I was getting this week?
Easton peeked around the edge, his hat now askew and his sunglasses completely crooked. “I think we lost them.”
I rolled my eyes, wiping hair off my face. “You say that now. Give it ten seconds.”
Sure enough, a piercing shriek echoed from somewhere disturbingly nearby. Another. Then another. He swore under his breath and grabbed my hand again. “Come on!”
We bolted down the corridor and burst out into the open again, this time heading toward the food court like it was a finish line. I was half certain that someone in a Chick-fil-A visor judged me as we sprinted past, but I didn’t have time to unpack that. Easton pointed frantically toward a nearby clothing store. “Quick, in there!”
We dodged past bewildered employees, darting into the maze of clothing racks. I crouched behind a rack of hideous Christmas sweaters, holding my breath, eyes wide as Easton slid in beside me.
He chuckled softly, grinning despite our situation. “Not exactly subtle, are we?”
“I told you that disguise sucked,” I hissed, catching my breath. “You look like someone tryingnotto be recognized, and therefore were immediately recognized.”
He raised his brows. “You love it.”
“Your ego needs therapy,” I whispered fiercely.
“You love that, too.”
I shook my head, heart hammering. “We’re gonna get caught.”
“Probably,” he agreed, cheerfully casual, like this was a midday stroll through Central Park and not a manhunt.
I stared at him. “Why aren’t you panicking?”
He tilted his head, looking at me like I was the one missing the obvious. “Because I’m having fun.”
“You call this fun?”
He leaned closer, eyes softening slightly. “I’m with you, aren’t I?”
My heart flipped stupidly in my chest, but before I could reply, someone gasped loudly.
“Oh my gosh! There he is!”
We froze.
Both our heads whipped toward the sound. A teenage girl, maybe fifteen or so, stood a few feet away, clutching her phone like it was the Holy Grail. Her eyes bounced between him and me like she couldn’t decide who to scream at first.
Easton closed his eyes for half a second. “Time’s up.”
