The Season For Shopping
The next day, Seth had a huge amount of work to do on the Christmas issue of his magazine. He'd barricaded himself in the office that morning, only emerging for more coffee.
Summer decided that it'd be the perfect time to go on her annual Christmas shop with Coop. She was up for it too as Ryan was helping out with preparations for the Newport Group's Xmas party.
"Yeah, that's right. Ryan helping out with a Newport Event!" Marissa laughed as they drove in the hazy winter sunlight towards South Coast Plaza.
Both girls were on a mission for gifts for their partners. And both were pretty stumped. After an hour and no luck, the girls decided to treat themselves.
"Oh Coop I cannot believe that we spent $500 on two hats!" Summer said gleefully slipping her Dad's credit card back into her purse.
"Hey, we need those and I've wanted one for ages so…" Marissa stopped dead in her tracks and looked into the window of the Bridal Boutique they were passing.
In the window stood the most gorgeous white dress they'd ever seen. Marissa couldn't move as she stared longingly at it. She drifted into the store in a daze, Summer calling after her.
"Excuse me, can I help you dear?" The tall assistant swept over. Marissa said nothing, she just looked around her in a daze. Summer ran in and grabbed her.
"Coop! We said we wouldn't do this until after new year!" Summer cried tugging at her arm. A display of pearl brooches behind Summer wobbled as she knocked into it.
"Is there a problem Miss?" the assistant glared.
"No, everything's fine, thanks," Summer snapped. The assistant smiled sarcastically and wandered off.
"Sum, it's gorgeous!" Marissa whispered, touching the silk. It rippled and swept through her fingers gently like water.
Summer grabbed Marissa's arm and dragged her out of the shop. She sat her down on a bench and clicked her fingers.
"Hello? Marissa? Are you there?" Summer waved her hands in front of her face. Marissa swatted them away.
"Remember Coop, when we said we'd leave it until after the holidays?" Summer said.
Marissa nodded. "Ok, but I want that one!" Summer laughed and dragged her up, linking arms.
"We've got some serious searching to do!"
Seth had given up his writing for a break. He'd flopped on the couch and stared upwards at the white plastered ceiling.
Summer hadn't really given any great ideas about what he could get her. He sighed loudly thinking of the arduous task of trekking around South Coast.
He downed the coffee he'd made himself and turned on his side. Then something caught his eye.
An issue of Cosmopolitan laid on the coffee table. Seth stared at picture on the front cover and leapt up.
"Eureka! I've got it!" He frowned at his choice of words but shrugged and grabbed his car keys, heading for the door.
"Bye, Coop!" Summer waved as she watched Marissa's red convertible drive down the road. She turned and unlocked the door. Creeping through the entrance hall, Summer darted upstairs and shoved the bags of shopping in her closet. She kicked off her stilettos and went back downstairs.
"Cohen!" Where was he? She checked every room and went to look in the garage. No car. Summer shrugged and flopped on the couch, reaching for the remote. She was sure that Sex In The City would be on at least one channel…
Seth strolled through South Coast quickly, stopping at a shop window every now and again.
He'd been there an hour, much to his displeasure, before he found it. He'd found Summer's present. It glinted away in the shop window and had no hesitation when the shop assistant drifted over.
"Can I help you Sir?" Seth pointed at the glass.
"I'll take it!"
"Hmmm, nope nothing!" Summer clicked on the mouse angrily.
She was angry about the lack of re-runs of 'Sex In…' so she'd invaded Seth's study/office computer. Out-bidded again for those amazingly cheap gorgeous Manolo's.
Summer slammed on the keyboard. In her fury though she'd been sent somewhere weird. Oh god, music memorabilia. Great.
But something caught her eye. 'Death Cab signed telecaster guitar…" Summer's heart leapt and she clicked on the link. She scanned the text and smiled. This was perfect, for Seth.
The time was running out soon so she bidded quickly and waited nervously. Half an hour later she received confirmation that she'd got it.
"Yey!" Summer squealed jumping up and down on her seat. But when she calmed down, she realised that this probably wasn't enough.
She sat in deep thought, something she rarely did, racking her brain. Then she got it. It'd require a lot of phone calls but, yeah!
Summer ran into the living room, grabbing her black book which contained all her phone numbers.