Salty Licorice

Chapter 46

Liz's POV

I walk into the bookstore that sits in one of the store fronts at the outlet mall I'm currently in, as I wait for Leo to get here. He is supposed to come with me as I go Christmas shopping for my family and now Emily because I feel a little guilty that I already have gifts for Avery and Marisa. I browse the isles idly not really looking for anything in particular. I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket, pulling my attention from the row of historical fiction. I slip it out and see the name Leo programmed into my phone, with a small chuckle I answer his call.

"You called Bootylous Queen of Drag," I say giddily as I repeat his name on my phone.

"My love, you know just how to make me smile, but I sadly come bearing bad news," He sighs. "My Grandma is pissy about something I have yet to figure out so she's taken my keys and hid them in her bra, saying that I'll get them back after I finish all my house chores."

"Tough, can't say I envy your situation with living at your grandparents anymore," I sigh, feeling overwhelming amounts of discouragement at having to go at it alone today. "But nonetheless, I must press on. My mom won't be able to pick me up till like 4 anyway. See you later then stranger."

"Bye babe," He sasses before the line goes dead.

I slip my phone away and go back to pursuing the shelves as I ponder my next moves of the day. I can't think of any possible gift I could get for Emily, the girl basically has everything she wants or whatever she could want is way out of my budget. I huff feeling discouraged before I even have started.

"Looking for something?" I hear from down the aisle.

"No, but thanks," I dismissed without looking in their direction.

"Wow, not even a glance," I hear the voice let out a low chuckle, catching my attention from the familiarity of it. "Hurts my ego a bit, not getting noticed by a pretty girl." I turn and see Marisa leaning against one of the shelves wearing a smirk.

"What brings you here?" I ask bemused.

"Same as you I assume," She answers dryly. "Didn't take you for historical fiction."

"I'm not," I admit. "Was wasting time till Leo got here, but turns out he can't make it."

"Well, if you want you can stick around with me, Avery's meeting me in a few minutes before her shift tonight."

"Right her waitressing job," I recall. "Where exactly does she work?"

"Great question, would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" Marisa asks instead.

"I mean sure but that doesn't answer my question," I grumble slightly.

"It will," Marisa answered mysteriously.

I glare at her but don't press the matter and just walk over to her, she smiles at me before letting it fall back into her signature bored face. I tuck my arm in hers and she walks over to the coffee spot that's inside the bookstore, ordering herself a drink and letting me order anything. I was hesitant but gave in and got a caramel frappe. I smile when it comes in a Christmas style to-go cup.

"I didn't know you liked coffee," I admit after taking my first sip.

"I don't, I got a hot chocolate," She shrugs.

We walk out into the chilly air, I press myself more into her warmth as we walk. I sip my coffee and keep in stride with Marisa as we make our way under the street ornate lamps with garland wrapping up the posts, there's also Christmas lights wrapping up the trunks of the palm trees along the walkways. I look at all the Christmas decorations that cover the store fronts, then we walk up to where there is a tall beautiful Christmas tree. All this does is make me miss Germany even more.