All of You by Gina Sorelle

rose.
    “What, no good?”
    Her lips twitched, making him smile – and his dick as hard as a fucking rock.
    She picked up the doll. “This is a beautiful Barbie. And I’m sure Gia will love it in about a year or two.” Kat pointed at the Play-Doh. “She’ll eat that and probably shove it up her nose and into her ear canals.” She picked up the puppy, looking it over. “Now, this…” Kat smiled. “This was a good pick, Danny. She’ll love it.”
    “Okay, well, two out of three isn’t bad.” Danny paused, holding her eyes. “You know, maybe you could go with me when I return them.” Kat’s smile faded and his chest tightened. “Maybe help me pick out some better stuff?”
    Kat handed back the puppy. “Or you could go on Toys R Us’ website and choose toys by age group.”
    Danny forced a smile. “Or that.” He put everything back and then pulled out a small pink velvet box. “Hope this passes muster.” Danny handed it to Kat. “I went into the jewelry story to get my watch fixed and saw it.”
    “Wow…” Kat pulled the tiny gold charm bracelet out and draped it over her fingers. “This is beautiful.”
    “Look at the charm.”
    Kat lifted it up and squinted. “Beloved goddaughter.” Her expression softened as she glanced back at him. “How thoughtful, Danny.”
    “I know she can’t wear it now, but maybe when she’s older. And I had to get that charm.” Danny took the box back from Kat and looked at the bracelet. “I never thought I’d get to buy something like that, you know? For a little kid.” He closed the box and slipped it back into the bag before shooting her a half-smile. “Kinda cool.”
    Kat nodded slowly. “So, who else do you have left to buy for?”
    “Nobody. That’s it.” When Kat’s brows dropped, Danny forced his half-smile into a full-on grin. “That’s a good thing about not having a family, right? Christmas shopping is pretty fucking easy. Tried to buy Nathan stuff for years, but you know he wasn’t having it.”
    “You don’t have any family?” Kat asked, her brows still furrowed.
    “Nah. But it’s better than way, I say. Family’s a real pain in the ass from what I hear.” Danny shrugged. “And I have Nathan, Stella, and Gia. You know your sister; she’ll always force me to participate.”
    But Kat didn’t return his smile. “What do you do on holidays?” she asked.
    Get fucking hammered, screw other lonely, pathetic people, and eat fast food.
    “Catch up on my reading, hang around the house…you know, just relax,” Danny said. “While everyone else is stressing, I’m enjoying some R & R.”
    Kat didn’t answer and Danny, desperate to change the subject, moved right along.
    “Listen, Kat, about last night…I don’t remember much, but I saw the call to you on my phone log this afternoon.” Danny paused. “Did I say anything-”
    She waved off his words. “No, no, no. Don’t worry about that. It was no big deal.”
    “No, it was fucking inconsiderate and rude and-”
    “Danny, it’s fine. Really .” Kat gave him a tiny smile. “People do stupid stuff when they’re drunk.
    Danny settled back into the booth, arms crossing over his chest. “Oh, yeah? Now this I’d like to hear. Tell me a nice, juicy story, Kat.”
    “Not me. Other dummies.” She gave him a half-smile. “Like you.”
    Danny laughed. “Fair enough. I-”
    “Officer?” A middle-aged, paunchy dude with a comb over came bustling over to the table. “Hi, I’m Bob Timmons, the General Manager. There’s a little boy out there who’s lost.”
    Danny immediately slid out of the booth and headed for the door.
    Bob Timmons trailed after him, saying, “The people out there were going to call the police, but I told them an officer was already in here.”
    Danny lifted a hand in acknowledgement. “Yep. Thanks. Got it.”
    He pushed open the restaurant door to find a kid, about four or five years old, sitting on one of the mall benches. He was shivering