Page 25 of Haunt the Mall
They shot me dirty looks and shuffled down the walkway. My man hesitated, though he did start to turn away with an awkward bow and wave.
“Wait.” I batted my eyelashes at him. “Can I help you with anything?”
“I…don’t know.” He chuckled and glanced inside. “You seem kinda busy.”
“We’re having a party.”
“And you didn’t invite me?” He stuck his hands in his black uniform pants and offered me a crooked smile. The theater’s button-down shirt hung over his shoulder, a black undershirt the only thing between me and his chest.
I slipped further into the mall and propped the door open with my hip. “I don’t know, sir. What’s your name? Maybe it’s on our list.”
He chuckled and ducked his head. “Victor.”
“Victor,” I purred. What a name. A great one. And I felt victorious. But I wasn’t risking another missed connection between us.
I pulled out my phone. “What’s your last name?” Please don’t let it be Frankenstein, I prayed.
“Sterling.” His Adam’s apple bobbed as I checked my contacts.
There he was. Victor Sterling. In the notes section, he had a spider and movie emoji. Nice touch. I grinned and stroked the screen.
He combed his bangs and peered at me through his spidery lashes. “What do you think? Did I earn my entry?”
I bit my lip and tucked my phone into my bra. “Unfortunately, it’s employees only. But I can get you a piece of candy.”
His gaze flicked from my bustier to my face. “Thank you for the treat.”
I smiled and slid back into the store, thinking, ‘Thank you for the dreams.’
13
Trick or Treat
I didn’t know what kind of candy Victor preferred, so I grabbed a variety out of the happy skull bowl.
Bree frowned. “Are you feeding the creeps?”
Just the one. I shrugged. “Think of it like trick or treating. If we give them a treat, they won’t play any tricks.”
Willow shuffled out of the dressing room. She dragged her hair across her lips and gestured to her blood-spattered Alice in Wonderland dress over striped leggings. “Um, what do you think?”
I’d never seen her in a dress. It was cute. I clasped my hands together. “Oh, I love—”
“I called dibs on Alice,” Bree snapped.
“What?” Willow pulled at the apron. “I didn’t see anyone’s name on the bag.”
Nor would she have heard the claim since she wasn’t in the office. I frowned at Bree. “Why couldn’t you both buy it? You’re wearing the devil outfit for the picture.”
“Because I’m going to wear it later. Maybe even here during a shift.” Bree scowled. “You can’t have two Alices.”
The solution was right there. “So don’t wear it on your shared shifts if it bothers you that much. She’s sixteen. You’re probably not going to the same parties,” I said.
Willow backed into the dressing room. “It’s okay. I can change.”
“Wear whatever you want,” I said. “The world could use more Alices.” And less domineering Red Queens, I almost added, side-eyeing Bree. I understood why she’d take issue with me. But shy little Willow? She was one of the team.
“Try the zombie,” Bree called as soon as I’d walked away.