Olivia and I went to the mall in the middle of the city. We found a men’s store and within ten minutes, I’d found a cheap suit, tried it on and purchased it. Olivia offered to pay using her father’s credit card, but I refused. I had gotten myself into this mess, the least I could do was buy the suit that would hopefully help get me out of it.
Finding something for Olivia to wear took a lot longer. We stopped at a bunch of stores with loud music and oddly dressed sales-clerks.
She tried on a bunch of different outfits and it seemed to take forever. Where I could, I plopped down on the chair or bench provided and tried not to yawn boredly.
Olivia led us to a GAP and went inside. She was like a whirl-wind inside. Within seconds she had poured through almost every rack in the store, picking out arm loads of stuff to try on.
I had hoped that somehow shopping with Olivia would get my mind off of the depositions and testimonies I was going to have to give on Friday, and it was working. Because all I could think about was getting out of those stupid clothing stores.
“I’m going to go and try these on.” Olivia said, standing on her toes and lightly kissing my cheek.
I nodded. “Take your time.” I replied. I hoped that she wouldn’t. I hoped this time it was going to be quick and painless.
It seemed to take Olivia ages to change into the outfits she had chosen. She came out of the change room several times to show me what she’d picked out. But each time she made a face that made it clear she hated the outfit.
I pretended to find fault with the outfit just to appease her.
“I have one more.” She said to me. “And if this one doesn’t work, I quit. I’ll have to wear something I already own…”
I babbled on about not caring how long it took as long as she found something she was happy with. But as soon as the door shut behind Olivia, I was breathing a sigh of relief.
I glanced at the magazines on the table in front of me. They were all chick magazines; nothing even remotely interesting. And I wouldn’t be caught dead reading an issue of Cosmo.
I sighed, leaning back against the leather sofa. Olivia came out of the dressing room in a white dress. The front was a modest v-neck and the skirt fell just below her knees.
“Wow.” I breathed. “Very pretty.” I mused.
Olivia smiled hugely. “I think this is perfect.” She twirled around and turned to the mirror behind her. She smoothed the skirt down over her hips. “I think I could wear my hair up…” Her nimble fingers twisted her hair up into a pile on top of her head.
She chewed the corner of her lip. “Oh, but I’ll need a cardigan… maybe…” She moved into the dressing room and returned with a light blue sweater, sliding her arms into the sleeves. “There. Perfect.” She smiled.
“You look beautiful.” I replied. I wasn’t lying. She somehow managed to take my breath away every time I saw her.
Olivia smiled. “Okay, give me ten seconds and I’ll put my clothes back on and we can go.” She disappeared into the dressing room again.
I sighed with relief again and waited patiently.
Olivia came out of the change room with the dress and sweater over her arm.
I followed her into the store again, and she waited in line to pay for her new outfit.
“Will you need shoes or anything?” I asked, shoving my hands into the pockets of my jeans.
She smiled. “No. I actually have the perfect pair of shoes to wear with this dress.” She stood on her toes and lightly kissed my cheek. “Don’t worry. All this girly shopping is over for today.”
“No, I don’t mind.” I shrugged.
The sales clerk called Olivia forward and I waited patiently while she paid using her father’s credit card. She took her bags and smiled at me. “Okay, where to next?” She asked.
“Wherever you want to go.” I shrugged. “Want me to carry your things?”
She smiled, “Okay.” She surrendered her bag to me and wrapped her arms around my free arm. “You’re such a gentleman.” She beamed.
I shrugged lightly. “Yeah, well, it’s coming back to me. I mean, since I’m practically living at your dad’s place and you’re driving my ass around all the time, the least I could do is do something slightly gentlemanly.” I smirked, lightly kissing her hair.
She lifted her head from my shoulder and smiled up at me. “You know what I could really, really go for?” She smirked.
“Please tell me it’s a huge juicy steak.” I teased.
She narrowed her eyes. “Ew, no.” She shook her head. “I was actually thinking a big giant pretzel is in order.” She mused.
I pursed my lips. “Hmm, good call.” I mused. “Is there a pretzel stand around here?”
“I think so.” She mused. “It’s been a while since I’ve been here. You live in this state, remember?”
“Oh, right.” I teased. “I forgot.”
Olivia smiled.
“Oh, there it is.” She smiled, pointing in front of us.
We walked in unison to the pretzel stand, and Olivia pondered over her options. She made polite conversation with the woman behind the counter. She asked if the salt used on the pretzels was sea salt or regular salt. She asked if the cheese was made with soy, and if the pretzels were gluten free.
I waited patiently, obliging in her cute little quirks.
Finally, when the woman behind the counter shot me a pleading look, I stepped in, lightly placing my hand on Olivia’s lower back. “Liv, why don’t we just live a little today? Take a break and eat something unhealthy for a change. Come on, live a little.” I smirked.
Olivia drew in a deep breath. “Why not?” She smiled up at me.
“Great. Two pretzels then.” I said. “Butter and salt.”
Olivia’s eyes widened, but her smile never waned.
I handed over a few dollar bills from my wallet and took the pretzels. Olivia grabbed a few napkins.
I surrendered one of the pretzels to Olivia and she clutched it in both her hands.
“Lets sit down for a bit, okay?” I offered, motioning toward a bench. She followed me to a bench and plopped down next to me.
“You’re going to help me eat this, right?” She asked, breaking off a piece of her pretzel and popping it into her mouth.
“Oh, no.” I chuckled. “You’re eating your own. I’m not helping.”
She laughed softly. “These are delicious.” She mused “I wonder if I can make them… I bet I can find a recipe online…”
“I definitely think you should. And I’ll help you eat them…” I smirked.
Olivia laughed sweetly. She broke off another piece of her pretzel and chewed it slowly.
“You know, now that you’re eating junk food, pretty soon I’ll get you eating a big juicy steak.”
Olivia raised an eyebrow. “I doubt it. You’re a bad influence on me Isaac, but not that bad.” She teased, lightly kissing my cheek.
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