"I hope you've got your running shoes on, my friend, because we're about to shop 'til we drop!" Mindy announced, opening the door to Danny's office gleefully.
"I think I'm good," Danny replied, not even pausing to look up from the email he was writing. Mindy pouted.
"Danny, we have to get decorations for the office non-denominational winter holiday party."
Danny sighed, hitting send before turning towards the flamboyantly dressed doctor. "Why do I have to be the one who buys the stuff? Besides, it's a Christmas party. Stop giving it that lousy 'non-denominational' title."
Mindy rolled her eyes. "Tamra yelled at me for being culturally insensitive, and she scares me. So I'll just call it Christmas around you." She shifted her bag. "Now, come on. Last time you just gave me money to buy decorations, then got mad when I gave you back the receipts."
"Because they were covered in lip gloss and dried up Skittles!" Danny cried.
"I can't be held responsible for any damage done by my purse," Mindy reasoned. "I like to keep some Skittles loose in case of a city-wide famine."
"You've got to be kidding me," Danny replied, grabbing his coat from the back of his chair and shaking his head. He nodded towards the door. "Alright, let's get this over with, Skittle Queen." Mindy led the way out of the practice, bouncing excitedly.
"So I was thinking we could get pink tinsel this time, because it'll really bring out my new MAC eyeshadow," Mindy babbled on as she and Danny waited for the signal to cross the street.
"What? No?" Danny denied. "The holidays are for red and green. Always been that way, always will."
"Okay, I resent that. Not all of us grew up with a red-clad Saint Nicholas to write to."
"You told me you were Santa in your elementary school play!"
Mindy waved him off. "Minor details. Point is, we're going with the blue. I'm in charge of decorations, and food, and music," Mindy frowned. "Wait. Why am I doing everything? You're not weaseling your way out of this –"
"Light changed," Danny cut her off, motioning that it was time for them to cross. Mindy was admiring the Christmas Swarovski display when she felt something on her back and jumped.
"What are you doing?" She glared accusingly at Danny's outstretched hand, which had been on her back moments before, guiding her along the crosswalk.
"What?" Danny looked confused.
"Why was your hand on my back, you weirdo?" Mindy fitted him with an inquisitive look.
"What, that? I dunno, it's just something I've always done. It's polite. Don't ask me. Jeez, what's with the interrogation?"
Mindy narrowed her eyes. "I only asked one question, Danny, relax." She sighed. "Whatever. I guess that was kind of sweet. Very Dermot Mulroney of you," she ended, smiling, turning back around to continue on their venture.
"Who?"
Mindy grinned. "Oh, good! Another movie to add to our ever-growing list to watch."
Danny groaned. "No, please no. All I want after a long delivery is to relax and watch the game. I've missed the last two because you've dominated the television with your chick flicks!"
"Oh, come on, they replay the important parts right after."
"Which I would get to see, if your damn rom coms weren't three hours long."
Mindy gasped. "You can't just stop in the middle of a love story, Danny! You miss everything important!"
Danny rolled his eyes. "Tell that to my fantasy team."
"Fine." Mindy huffed. "How about this – for every two rom coms we watch, I'll let you have the lounge to watch your stupid baseball games."
Danny scoffed. "Every two?! No deal, that's complete crap."
Mindy whined. "Danny, come on!" He didn't budge. "Okay, okay. Every other, then. But you pay for snacks that night."
"Deal." Danny smirked, sticking out his hand for Mindy to shake. She complied, rolling her eyes before turning into a store on her right.
An hour later, Danny was loaded down with bags while Mindy led the way back to the practice. Somehow, despite his load, he still managed to guide Mindy across the road. And this time, she didn't jump.
"Alright, just dump them on the chair," Mindy directed, hanging up her coat in her wardrobe when they finally made it to the practice.
"Aye, aye, sir," Danny replied sarcastically. Mindy shot him a look, Danny laughing quietly at his own joke. He laid the bags down on her chair, stretching his shoulder. "Jeez, Min, what the hell did we get? Bars of gold?"
Mindy's eyes lit up. "No, but we could! Danny, those would look great by the punch bowl. Didn't three guys bring Jesus bars of gold?"
Danny pinched his eyes. "Yep. Totally."
Mindy beamed. "Okay, I'll find some tomorrow!" She began typing furiously on her phone. Danny started to correct her, but stopped, knowing it was useless.
He glanced around the room before checking his watch. "Alright, well, if you don't need me to be your lackey for anything else tonight, I'm gonna head out." He hitched a thumb over his shoulder.
Mindy stopped texting and rounded the desk. She touched Danny's shoulder. "Thanks for all your help. I really mean it," she insisted, squeezing a little.
Danny half-smiled, shrugging. "Eh, it could've been worse."
"Oh yeah. I went easy on you bub," Mindy agreed. She laughed as Danny's eyes went wide with fear. He glanced around the empty office before turning back to Mindy.
"Wha-" All of a sudden, she was hugging him, wrapping her arms around his back and squeezing. He patted her awkwardly, not knowing what to do with himself.
Mindy stepped back and glared. "Danny Castellano. I know you did not just pat me like Tyra does to the girls who get eliminated on America's Next Top Model."
Danny scratched his head and looked sheepish. "I just, I didn't know we were the hugging type of friends."
Mindy looked at him skeptically. "'The hugging type of friends'? Oh god, Danny. You need to get out more." She shook her head. "Yes, we're the 'hugging type of friends'. Let's try this again."
"We really don't have to do th-" Mindy's arms were back around him before he could protest. He sighed, giving in and squeezing her just the tiniest bit. Mindy released him and smiled, satisfied.
"Better, but not up to my standards just yet. We'll work on it," she grinned happily.
Danny rolled his eyes. "Alright. If I have your permission, I would like to leave now," he said pointedly.
Mindy waved, heading back towards her phone. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, tomorrow," Danny agreed, waving as he exited the office. He brushed the wrinkles out of his shirt as waited for the elevator, smiling as he noted the hint of perfume still lingering on his collar.
