In the holiday frenzy, the only kids’ store still open past 6:00 PM was like a beehive kicked into chaos. Everyone inside was buzzing—rustling wrapping paper and cash, asking questions, pulling toys off shelves, and driving the sales staff up the wall.
Julia lingered by the shelf of Transformers. Her shopping basket already held a brightly packaged doll for her younger sister and a craft kit for her middle sibling. All that was left was a gift for her brother, who was obsessed with these robots. The price tag stung, but Julia finally made up her mind and reached for the slick, laminated box—only to be enveloped by the subtle, alluring scent of a man’s cologne.
A tall man with a distracted look was already holding an identical robot. He grabbed for the same box Julia had her eye on, though her touch was cautious while his felt more like a predator snatching its prey with a clawed paw.
And so they froze, staring at each other. The man looked surprised; Julia, annoyed.
It hadn’t been Julia’s best day to begin with, and now she had just thirty minutes before the last bus left—the one she needed to catch to deliver these St. Nicholas Day gifts to her sisters and brother. And here was this weird guy, appearing out of nowhere, laying claim to her toy!
Julia boldly met his gaze. Sharp words were on the tip of her tongue, but they stalled halfway. There was something about her rival that threw her off balance.
“So, we just gonna stand here?” the “competitor” smirked, his smile crooked.
“Sorry, but I got to it first,” Julia replied.
“And I’m second. So what?” A dangerous glint sparked in the man’s eyes. There was something unhealthy about the way they gleamed.
“What a jerk!” Julia thought angrily, deciding to fight for it to the end.
“My bus leaves soon. And you’ve already got one of those robots,” she pointed out.
“I’ve got one, but I need two,” the man shot back, clearly not backing down.
Julia was mad at herself for feeling flustered, but despite that, she couldn’t help noticing how striking her rival’s strong, determined face was. This untimely observation only made her angrier, and she let go of the box.
Time was running out, and that pushed her to grab the first toy car within reach before darting to the checkout line.
The irritating man, with his prize in hand, lined up behind her, practically looming over her with his towering frame. His expensive, sweet cologne—with hints of smoke and exotic spices—wrapped around her like a cloud.
“Oh, Alexander Nicholas, we’re so glad to see you!” the cashier suddenly chirped, nearly curtsying in her excitement.
Julia raised a scornful eyebrow, quickly paid for her toys, and bolted out of the store. As she struggled to stuff the boxes into an awkward branded bag, the shop door swung open, releasing the tall figure of a man.
“Here, take this!” Her recent rival extended a bag toward her.
“What?” Julia stared at him, bewildered.
“Take it before I change my mind,” he said, leaving her utterly confused as he disappeared into the shadow of a massive black SUV.
Inside the bag were two Transformers, plus a bunch of other kid-friendly treasures—coloring books, puzzles, and all sorts of little trinkets that tempt young shoppers at the checkout counter.
“What on earth was that about?” Julia muttered, staring after the strange man in confusion.
***
Friends, if you’re intrigued by my characters, please add this book to your library. See you tomorrow, same place! ;)
Yours, Eva.
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