Page 44 of Slick Trip
“I’m not trying to be.”
We got a cart.
“Jon.”
“No.”
“I didn’t even say anything.”
“You were about to.”
“I just—” A sigh.
“Okay. What is it?”
He pointed at the blankets. “I need to be cozy.”
I noticed a pile of weighted blankets that promised to “bring Omegas the comfort they deserve,” but Cooper ignored them.
“These might feel good,” I suggested, gesturing at them, but Cooper crossed his arms.
“But those are Omega blankets,” he pouted. “I want the pretty lilac one.”
“Fine,” I said. “The lilac one it is.”
We’d barely made it to the next aisle.
“Jon.”
I prayed for strength.
“Yes, Cooper.”
He held up a colorful bracelet kit.
“Absolutely not.”
“But I want to make you one. As a thank-you.”
I paused, my heart doing a slow, heavy roll.
“As a thank-you for what?”
“For buying it,” he replied, then snorted as if he had just made the funniest joke. I shook my head, but I was fooling no one. A smile was tugging at my mouth.
Cooper stepped closer.
“Would you wear it?” he asked, tilting his head. There was genuine expectation in his eyes.
“I . . .” I glanced at my inked wrists. A bracelet made of plastic beads would look fucking ridiculous. “Yeah. I’d wear it.”
The delight on his face made me stupidly happy. “Then I need it.”
The cashier raised an eyebrow.
“Birthday?” she asked.
Cooper was wrapped in the blanket, clutching the monkey, already opening the raisins. Completely pleased with himself.
