Page 6 of Untouchable

“A white shirt and light wash blue jeans aren’t much better! They’re still colorless.” I let out a defeated sigh.

“How about this? We can go out one night this week and you can dress me. In any color you want.” Her mouth pops open with a gasp, and I hold a finger up. “But…you have to leave me alone about the way I dress after that.”

Her face falls into annoyance. “For how long?”

“Forever, if I’m lucky.” I leer at her and she smiles.

“Oh, babe. You’re never gettingthatlucky.” I let out a small laugh as she tenderly tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. “Okay, let’s finish here and hit the food court. I’m starving.” She turnsto walk away. “Your ass looks great in those jeans by the way,” she calls out behind her. My eyes widen and I glance around the sales floor, my cheeks flaming at her very loud, very public comment about my ass.

“Thanks, Tabs,” I call back to her, closing my eyes and wondering how she manages to be so unapologetically her, without a single care about what anyone else thinks. I envy that about my best friend. She’s the yin to my yang, and I don’t know what I would do without her.

We make it through the crowded food court and finally find an open table, but as soon as we sit down, something troubling catches my eye.

“Tabitha, look.” A little boy is standing by the carousel, with a sad look on his face. I watch him for a moment, glancing around to see if a parent is nearby watching him. But he spins once, twice, and then his lips turn down, and my instincts kick in. I stand up with the intention to go over to him, at the same time a man approaches him—a man I get the sinking feeling hedoesn’tknow. He backs up when the man bends down and smiles at him, shaking his headnobefore the guy grabs his arm and begins trying to pull him behind him.

Oh hell no.

“Find a mall employee,” I tell her before heading over to the boy.

I bend down slowly, not wanting to scare him, and carefully grab his other hand. “Hi, sweetie. Do you know this man?” His eyes are full of fear when he shakes his head no again.

“Mind your business, sweetheart. I’m a friend of the family.” His hushed tone and sickening smile make my skin crawl.

I glare up at him. “Yeah, and I’m the Pope.” I turn back around to face the boy, a comforting smile now on my lips. “Are you lost?” His eyes turn red, and tears fill them quickly. “It’s okay, I’m going to help you find your parents, okay? Let’s go findsomeone who can help us call them, okay?” He nods his head, and I stand up, gently tugging his hand to encourage him to follow me. To my surprise, the other guy doesn't let go. I feel the resistance when we try to walk away, and when I look back, I see his grip tightening on the little boy's arm.

“I said—” he begins, but without any warning, I ball my fist, rear back, and punch the guy in the nose. I shake my hand, a little shocked that I just did that, but more than that, proud of myself for doing it. The little boy clings to my leg, and I rub his back to comfort him.

“It’s okay. You’re okay. Let’s go find—” I’m cut off before I can finish my sentence.

“There a problem over here?” I’d know that voice anywhere. I turn around and see Ace, flanked by Bodine and Mikey, standing right behind me. His eyes are on me only for a moment, before they move to the guy I just hit. My gaze follows, and I can’t help but smirk when I see how bloody his nose is.

“Yeah, this bitch just punched me in the nose.” I roll my eyes and turn to face Ace.

“This little boy can’t find his parents, and this guy was trying to take him.” Ace’s eyes darken as he looks at the guy.

“I was trying to help him.”

“Dragging a little boy away that doesn’t want to go with you isn’t helpful.” I bend down to pick up the kid, who can’t be more than four years old, and he immediately lays his head down on my shoulder.

“I’m going to find his parents.” Before I can take a full step, Ace’s hand reaches out to grab my arm.

“You okay?” For some reason, that one simple question causes me to pause, but I recover quickly.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I nod and then walk back over to the table where Tabitha has stopped a mall worker.

“Hi. This little boy seems to have lost his parents. We were trying to help him find them.” I tell her, and she looks at him with a warm smile on her face.

“Hi, sweetie. What’s your name?” I feel his head pressing into my shoulder harder. I bounce him a couple of times and smile at him.

“It’s okay, buddy. She’s going to help us find your parents. Can you tell us your name?”

“Levi.” His voice is so small. He sniffles and wipes his nose with the back of his hand.

“Levi, it’s great to meet you. I’m Sharron. Who did you come here with today?”

“Mommy.” His little lip quivers, and my heart feels every bit of his fear and sadness when he does.

“What’s your mommy’s name?” He’s quiet for a minute, and Tabs and I share a sad look.

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