"So you can really use your company credit card here?" Lee asked Edward as they entered the local shopping mall.
Edward laughed. "It's my company. Well, mostly. And I can use the card wherever I want. Maybe this is a business expense. Perhaps a dinner suit or something for an off-site visit."
"Oh, great, let's go look then!" Lee could barely control herself over the idea of watching Edward do a bit of a fashion show for her. It would be nice to see him trying on some fitted pants, tailored suits, shooting the cuffs.
"But I don't need anything today. We're here for you."
"For me?" Lee practically squealed. "I love presents!!!!" Edward grabbed her elbow and steered her towards the up elevator. She couldn't help but watch their reflection as the electronic stairs moved them up.
"Do you like what you see?" Edward said when he caught her. She saw the image of them, her one step above him, trying to press unnoticed closer to his chest. She didn't answer him and just turned quickly back around on her step. If she tried, she could inch back a slight amount and her behind would be pressed up against his belt.
When the elevator rolled to the top, Edward sped out and she tripped along after him. "I wonder what it will be?" She thought to herself. "Obviously, it's got to be something work related. But we're so casual there. So, it can't be a briefcase. Ew. Work clothes? Nah. Why would he buy me something to wear to work? Cute clothes? I wonder what he likes." They cut through the beauty area towards the front of the store. Edward paused for a moment to sniff a sample test stick that one of the robotic store models held out to him, then tossed it on the pile with a bunch of others. Lee knew it wouldn't be makeup; after a few comments from him, she had started tailoring her "daily routine" to one that she thought he approved of.
Then they were out of the store. Edward glanced around, getting his bearings, as Lee tried to get inside his mind. "Edward, what are we looking for? Maybe I can help you find it."
"No, no, I used to come here all the time." Lee thought about that. She tended to avoid malls, but what a nice sight it would have been to be rounding the corner of a store and bump into Edward. Maybe he would ask her to go get some ice cream with him. Or maybe, probably, she would run into him when she had made a quick dash into the mall in her gym clothes, hair all sweaty, no makeup, and he on the arm of some compact, witchy high-maintenance type who just gave her the stink eye. More than likely.
He spotted something pink out of the corner of his eye and pulled her toward his goal. Lee was still brainstorming. "They have some cute stuffed bears here. Wait, haha. He doesn't know that. I mean, maybe he does, but he's not thinking that about me, or rather, why would he? That is just the most ridiculous idea I have ever even though of!"
Lee was still wrapped up in deriding herself when Edward stopped them in front of Victoria's Secret. "Um, speaking of ridiculous ideas!" she said, and then cringed when she realized that yes, she had said that out loud. "You think this is ridiculous?" He stared at her. She shook her head quickly. "What part of this do you think is ridiculous? Women who treasure themselves enough to buy undergarments that are not only really attractive and hot but well-made, long-lasting, and enhance their figures? Frilly little beauty products to go along with all those garments? The availability of so many choices, to appeal to most of the sexual palates in the world? Lee, you've been spending quite a bit of time with the sales and marketing department. What could you possibly say here that's a negative strike against this company? What makes it ridiculous?"
Lee blushed, wondering if people were staring at them, but most of the shoppers were just going about their business. As it was during the day, there were only a few shop-all-day moms and the store clerks plus a couple of teenagers who looked like they might be cutting school. "What are we doing here?" A horrible, horrible thought occurred to Lee. What if he had taken her here to get her opinion on a gorgeous, sexy item for another woman? She would die. But didn't he say that they were coming here for..."For you."