The single mom and her boss

Chapter seventeen - Christmas shopping

Jasmine's POV:

I told Adam my biggest secret. To my surprise, he took the news well. I thought he might stop being my friend or going out with me, but no. Nothing has changed. He treats me the same as usual. Chloe and I have to go shopping for the holidays. My boss is doing the Secret Santa thing in the office. Yesterday, he gave us the bowl to pick a person for who we should buy something. You can guess who I got. I planned to get him something as my friend. I can get him two things. One of them will be from his Secret Santa. I don't know what to get my parents. They have everything. Maybe I can send them on a little vacation somewhere. There are websites where you can get a voucher for an experience. It could be a cooking class, a massage, and much more. I think they will enjoy a three-day vacation. I can get them for more days, but Chloe and I have our expenses to cover. Honestly, I couldn't afford that before. I think my parents will appreciate it. The struggles come on their birthday. At least I don't have many people to shop for. It's handy when you don't have many friends. Adam wanted to come with us. I guess I will buy his present another day. He can't find out what I will get him. It's not like I know. I don't know him well enough to find out about his interests. I hope he will like whatever I pick.

Chloe and I are going Christmas shopping. She has been waiting for this all day. Adam is coming with us. Usually, we do this alone, but since she met him, she wants him everywhere with us. Part of me likes it, but the other part is uncomfortable. She used to like me. I'm not jealous. That's what I think. She is stuck with me at the end of the day. Let's see what we can find. I keep the decorations from last year. You are supposed to get one new toy, but I'm sure we'll get much more.

Currently, we are getting ready to go out. Adam said he would come and take us out. I don't mind driving, but he seemed enthusiastic about this. I'll let him enjoy it. That won't happen all the time. I have packed a box with some snacks. From much walking, Chloe gets hungry. I need to restore her energy. Me, too. We'll probably have lunch outside. I don't see us coming back home that soon. I went to take my jacket and my wallet. By the time I was back. Adam was already here.

- Girls, are you ready?

- We are. Are you? - Chloe asked excitedly

- I am.

- We have this backpack. I have everything inside.

- You don't need money.

- Yes, I do. I won't let you do this.

- Come on. It's only for a day.

- That's how it starts.

- Please. I have never shopped for a kid before.

- Never? What about your friends? Don't they have kids?

- None of them.

- Mommy, let's go.

- Ok, ok. We are going.

- Yay!

- Put on a seatbelt.

- I know. I'm ready. Can we listen to some songs? Please.

- Sure. What do you want to listen to? - Adam asked

- Station six.

- Here you go. - he said and started driving

- It's Christmas time, and Santa's coming to town. It's Christmas time, and Santa's coming to town. - she said, singing

- I'm so sorry about that.

- Why? It's funny. Honestly, I like her a lot.

- I can tell. Please, don't spoil her. I have tried to set some rules.

- Don't worry. I'll do whatever you tell me.

- I don't mean it that way.

- I need to get a present. - Chloe said

- For who?

- Timmy.

- Who is Timmy?

- I'm his Secret Santa. I wish I had gotten someone else.

- Why?

- He is so annoying and talks too much.

- Just like you.

- No, I don't. - she said, and I laughed

- What do you want to get him? Are there any rules?

- I'll get him a football ball. He is not that special.

- Chloe, we don't talk like that about people.

- But.

- I have said something.

- By the way, I might have said yes to lunch with my parents.

- Ok, you can go.

- With you and Chloe.

- What? Why?

- Mom insisted on this. I cut her off, but she didn't like it.

- So you told her.

- There was no need to. She saw you two outside and asked questions. I couldn't lie to her.

- It's ok. I can survive this, but it won't happen again. Understood?

- What won't happen again? - Chloe asked

- Nothing. Do you want a snack?

- Yes.

At least this will keep her quiet for a while. Chloe loves talking only when she is in good company. She and Adam understand each other well. I'm happy about this. If I want to keep going out with him, I have to be sure she is ok with that. Luckily, he managed to cancel the lunch with his mom. Soon, we arrived at a decoration shop. I have bought many gifts from here. Let's see what we can get. I don't even know what I'm looking for. I might let Chloe pick something.

- Chloe, go and look for some decorations.

- What should I look for?

- Whatever you want.

- Yay! I'll be back.

- Is she always so happy?

- She loves Christmas. Do I need to say more?

- I understand. What should I get her for Christmas? I don't know her that well.

- You don't have to get her anything.

- What about you?

- I have no clue. She has everything.

- Does she like to read?

- She can't read yet, but yes. I read her almost every night before bed.

- That is great. You don't have to worry about being a good role model.

- I'm far away from good.

- You are. Trust me.

- Should we get this?

- I don't know. It's your house.

- Since you know everything, you can come.

- Thanks. I won't bother you that often. You can come home as well. I don't have any toys.

- She is not that little.

- I picked this one.

- Chloe, I don't think we should get this one. - I said, and Adam laughed

- Why not?

- Because it doesn't look appropriate for kids.

- What does it look like?

- That is a thing for adults. How about this snowflake? - Adam asked and picked it up

- It's pretty. Mommy, can we get it? Please.

- Sure. That one is better.

I'm glad that she doesn't know many adult things. Now, it's not the time for me to educate her. I'm sure she will learn everything alone. We went to one more store before lunch. I didn't get many things. I have to get something for my Secret Santa thing, but I can't do it while he is with us. That's when I got an idea. Hopefully, my plan will work. Chloe wanted pizza for lunch. We'll share one because she won't eat the whole thing. Adam offered me wine, but I denied it. I won't drink in front of her.

- We did a great shopping. - Adam said

- True. I got an idea. We can go to the mall. You and Chloe can pick up a present for her Secret Santa.

- Why not? I'm up for it.

- Chloe, what do you say? You have to pick a present.

- The ugliest one.

- Chloe!

- I'm sorry.

- Where will you go? - Adam asked

- I have to do more things. I'll meet you in front of the Fruity Smoothie store.

- Why not?

- Mommy, we should get something for Adam. - Chloe said, whispering to me

- Don't worry.

- I'll pretend that I didn't hear anything. - he said, chuckling

- I'll let you pick the present. Eat your food now.

- Can he stay with us for dinner?

- I promised your grandma to go to her house with you.

- We can take him with us.

- I don't know.

- Chloe, I have some plans for tonight with my friends. Maybe another day.

- Oh, ok. Will you come home tomorrow? We can play with my sand.

- Sand?

- Mom got her kinetic sand for her birthday. It's one of her favorite things.

- It's good to know. Chloe, what type of presents do you like?

- All of them. Mom, can we go karting?

- Karting? Where did that come from?

- We haven't done it, and Timmy said he would go with his dad.

- I'll think about this.

My plan worked perfectly. I picked up a present for Adam. He stayed with us in the afternoon. I know he doesn't have any plans for the night. I'm glad I don't have to take him to my parents' house. I'm not sure what we are. I mean, except for friends. I'll keep this professional at work. No one needs to know what we do outside the office. Chloe and I arrived for dinner. We went home only to leave our bags. I managed to get her a present as well. I hid it in my wardrobe. When the time comes, I'll give it to her.

- Thanks for the invitation, mom.

- It was a pleasure. Chloe, are you hungry?

- A little bit, but I can wait.

- Your grandpa has been waiting for you to come. We can eat now.

- Yay! Mommy, can we eat?

- Sure. Let's sit at the table. I'll help your grandma.

- How was your day?

- It was good. I did some Christmas shopping.

- Chloe seems happy. Did you get her something?

- No, I only bought things for the house. I'll give her the present when the time comes.

- I believe that something else has happened. You can tell me.

- Adam came with us. She likes him a lot.

- Adam was your boss. Right?

- Yes.

- Is something going on?

- No. We are only friends. I think.

- But you are not sure. It's ok if you like him.

- No, no. I said it because I'm not sure if we are friends. I only think like that.

- I'm sure you are, since he came with you.

- Chloe didn't leave him in peace. She even wanted him to stay for dinner.

- Why didn't you bring him?

- He said he had plans. His friends are waiting for him.

- Maybe next time.

- Maybe. I won't make any plans. I liked it when it was only us.

- You can't stop going out with people because of her.

- I'm not doing it. Everything is fine.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, I am. Can we not talk about this? Mom, I'm not in the mood. Please, don't say anything in front of her.

- Don't worry. These are things for adults.

- Thanks. The food smells heavenly.

- It's good when someone cooks instead of you.

- A lot. I'll do that tomorrow. We have to practice.

- Leave her to rest.

- You took care of me your way. I will do things my way.

I love my mom, but sometimes, she wants too much from me. I need to think about what I want. Adam is a good company, but I liked it before him. I mean, it was only Chloe and me. She can't get rid of me. I won't think about this now. He is only a friend. It won't get serious. I won't let it happen. I'm happy to be single. Honestly, it has been better for me. I'll focus on Chloe, and not on myself. I already have what I need. The job is great. I don't need to save every penny. I do it now, but not in the same way. Finally, things are falling into place. I hope that the holidays will go well.