Jameson and I were armed with catalogs and a credit card. We had to go to the one place Id never imagined the Creepy Man would ever escort me tothe mall.
It was an understatement to say that we were an odd pair. Elderly mall walkers, tweens with cell phones and Vera Bradley backpacks, kissing couples, and families filled the food court. There was only one bald butler and morbidly dressed girl.
We entered a home store Id only been in when I was being dragged by my mother and the mall benches were already occupied.
We were immediately confronted by a friendly woman with a rock star headset. Do you need help? she asked sincerely.
You could say that, I said. Wed like to purchase a few things for the home.
Her forehead wrinkled as she tried to assess the couple who stood before her. Uncle and niece? Father and daughter? Boyfriend and young girlfriend?
By the expression on her face, I think she settled for Creepy Man and Monster Girl.
Its not for my home, I reassured her. Its for his home.
All right, then. The saleswoman did her best to hide her discomfort.
Miss? Jameson asked.
Lauren.
Miss Lauren, he began in a soft and velvety Romanian accent, I am so delighted that you will be helping us. I can tell you have impeccable taste.
Lauren was immediately captured by the Creepy Mans compliment. Thank you, she gushed.
And, Miss Lauren, we need to have these delivered quickly, Jameson told her.
If its in stock, we can have it delivered the next day.
Then lead me to those items, he said.
Lauren guided us around the store like a docent in a fine arts museum.
We picked out a few rugs, a desk and hutch, and furniture covers. She showed us a dozen lamps and pushed one long hanging rug after another until Jameson found one he liked.
I had a blast shopping with the Creepy Man. My mom usually took ages to decide between two varieties of the same item, then, after deciding on the most perfect one, went to another store, only to finally come back to the original and buy it, while Jameson instantaneously picked out furniture, rugs, and accessories.
Lauren rang up our purchases and Jameson handed over his credit card and signed his name.
We left the store with oversized shopping bags like any other normal Dullsvillian.
Now all we needed was a cleaning company.
Alexander wouldnt let me inside until the Mansions makeover was complete. I heard bustling and tried to peek into the window, but the dirt blocked my view.
I was seated on the stoop when I received a text.
Hey Hottie, What are you doing?
The sender was from an unavailable number. I dismissed the call, and as I waited on the stoop, the Mansions door finally creaked open.
Alexander stood as Id never seen him before. He was wearing pressed jeans and an oxford shirt, a brown leather belt and shiny loafers. He was unbearably handsome.
Where is Alexander? I asked.
What do you think? he asked, nervous about my response.
You are gorgeous! Id never imagined you as an insider, I said, checking him out. You look like you belong in a prep school.