“Thanks, but V is picking me up.”
He runs his thumb across the back of my hand. “Good. I’ll have a Coke and that burger you suggested last time. It was fucking delicious.”
A round of “Me too” rings out.
The rest of their meal is uneventful, thankfully. They don’t go out of their way to be jerks like the last time they came in, nor do they leave a mess. When I take them the check, Reed hands me a hundred-dollar bill and tells me to keep the change, no matter how much I protest. In the end, he wins, as usual.
Once they leave, I get to work finishing up my closing chores while Rosie serves the last two tables. Once the remaining customers are gone, we close the gate heading into the mall and lock the front door.
“What a night,” Rosie huffs, sitting down to put her feet up.
“Doesn’t it always seem like your feet hurt worse on a slow night?” I inquire as I will the throbbing in my own to go away.
“It’s because while you’re on your feet less, you also stay in constant movement, so you don’t notice it until you stop moving. It gets worse as you get older.”
“Thanks for the positive outlook on my future. A pair of feet that never quit aching.”
She laughs as she gathers her purse. “Do you need help closing up?”
“No way. I got this. Go home to your kids. Tell them I said hello. See you tomorrow?” I follow her to the mall entrance as I lift the gate for her to exit.
“See you tomorrow, sugar. Be safe headed home.”
“You too.”
I watch her walk down to the food court exit. Her husband always picks her up there since it has more streetlights and gives Rosie a warm place to wait if he’s running late. She turns and waves before she heads out the door.
I go to close the gate again, but pounding feet on the tile make me pause. I look up and see four masked men running my way. I scramble to close the gate, but one of the men makes it under before I get the chance.
I inhale sharply as the second man steps closer to me while the third and fourth slips through. I open my mouth to scream, but the second man clamps his hand over my lips.
“We have to go. Now.” I recognize the voice but can’t figure out why.
The man in front of me leans close. “Where’s the back door?”
My eyes land on a sparkling Rolex on the man’s arm that looks suspiciously like Reed’s. The sound of his voice causes me to shiver, my body reacting as it always does. It’s not until I meet his deep green eyes holding a flicker of mischief that I let my body relax.
Reed takes his hand from my mouth.
“Through the kitchen. You’ll see it.”
The other three, one which I realize now sounds like Keaton, take off through the kitchen. Reed lingers a moment, brushing his hand down my face.
“Can you keep a secret?”
I don’t get a chance to answer before more pounding feet sound down the tile. Reed slips through the kitchen, just in time for Art, the security guard on duty, to miss him.
Art stops next to me, bent over, trying to catch his breath. “Did… you—”
“Breathe, Art. Martha won’t forgive you if you die. Are you looking for the four men who ran through here?” At his nod, I continue. “They ran down to the food court exit. They’re probably long gone by now.”
He straightens but is still breathing hard and holding his chest. “Thanks, Sage. I should walk you to your car tonight.”
“What did they do?” I ask, worried that I’m now an accomplice to their actions.
“They stole the damn bird from the water fountain. Who in the hell does that?”
I burst out laughing. He looks at me weird, so I explain. “They stole a piece of rock shaped like a bird. They could have stolen anything in this mall and they steal something so stupid.”
He starts laughing with me. “I guess you’re right. Still, let me walk you to your car. Then I can call this in.”
“Fine. Let me just shut everything down. Meet back here in ten?”
He smiles and nods, walking toward the food court exit.
I finish closing up, and ten minutes later on the dot, I meet Art.
“I actually have a ride coming. They should be here any minute. I usually walk out our back door though. Mind walking around with me?”
“Not at all. Lead the way.”
He’s telling me about Martha and her latest cooking masterpiece when all of a sudden, he stops abruptly.
“Hey, you there. What are you doing here?”
I glance over and spot Reed leaning against his SUV, not far from the back door to the restaurant. I can’t see inside, but I suspect there are at least two other people in the car.
Reed pushes off his car, moving closer to us, causing Art to tense.
“Baby, I thought you said you would text me when you got off. I would have come to the door.” Reed continues to move closer, so I place my hand on Art’s arm.
“He’s my ride.”
Art relaxes. “Thank goodness. Well, are you going to introduce me to your boyfriend?”
I start to contradict him, but Reed is in front of us at this point, holding out his hand for Art to shake. “Reed. It’s nice to meet you, sir. Thank you for escorting Sage out for me. I worry about her working so late and walking out here by herself.”
Reed slings his arm around me next, leaning in to kiss my cheek.
“We had a bit of a scare tonight. I agree that she shouldn’t be walking out here alone. From now on, make sure you pick her up outside of the food court exit.”
“Will do. Come on, babe. Let’s grab you some dinner before I take you home.”
I turn to glare at him just as he leans in to kiss my cheek again, making his lips touch mine. Instead of pulling away, he presses another, softer kiss to my lips before brushing my hair out of my face.
“Young love. You kids be safe.” Art chuckles as he makes his way back into the building.
Reed keeps his arm around me as he guides me to his vehicle. He holds open the passenger door, helping me inside before rounding the front and getting in the driver side.
I’m so lost in my thoughts about that kiss and his tenderness that I don’t realize we’ve left the parking lot until Keaton pops up from the back, scaring the shit out of me.
“Damn, that was hot. You two make one banging couple. You should hook up.”
“What in the ever-loving fuck, Keaton?” I gasp loudly, my heart racing.
Reed reaches over, intertwining our hands as he speaks. “Put your seat belt on, Keat. All of you put your seat belts on.”
I turn in my seat, finding Sterling and Finley in the back as well. “What’s going on? Where is V?”
A gentle squeeze to my hand brings my attention back to Reed. “I called and told Victoria that I would give you a ride home. We need to talk.”
“Really? I agree. We do need to talk. What the fuck were you doing sneaking around after hours at the mall? What the fuck was that back there? My boyfriend? Seriously? I thought I told you not to touch me again.”
I half-heartedly try to pull from his grasp, but I stop when he gives me another gentle squeeze.
“He thought I was your boyfriend, so I played along. No harm in letting an old man think we’re in love.”
No harm for him, at least.