I look around, feeling a little lost and unsure, and he moves closer.
“How about the kitchen?”
“Sounds good,” I agree and let him steer me to the second floor. We stand side by side on the escalators, shooting each other looks. We are so close, I feel his hand brush mine, but neither of us reach for the other. “I don’t cook a lot.”
“No? I used to love cooking. I just don’t have a lot of time anymore,” he replies as he makes sure I get off safely, and then we head into the aisles.
“Hmm, my grandma is an amazing cook, but I never really got that gene. I like baking though,” I admit shyly.
“Really? They have some great baking supplies here. Let’s get you some in case you want to hone your skills,” he suggests, and he hurries down that section. Conan grabs one basket and hands me another as he eyes one of the shelves. “What kind of baking, or should we just get everything you might need?”
He keeps talking, but I just stare at him. He is taking this very seriously. We are only shopping for my apartment, but he genuinely wants to help, and something about that makes me smile. “Thank you for helping me,” I blurt, and he blinks at me. “I really appreciate it.”
“Of course. Besides, I wanted to see you.” He seems to realize what he said and he snaps his mouth shut before turning away. “Trays? Let’s get four,” he murmurs, adding stuff to his basket. He’s cute when he’s shy.
We spend hours shopping, filling basket after basket and dropping it with someone he knows on the fourth floor. I stopped looking at theprices after the tenth time he told me off, promising it will be okay. He’s kind, and he’s also a lot of fun to hang out with. There isn’t a lull in our conversation, and I feel comfortable with him. Conan is warm, like a summer’s day, a breath of fresh air filling my lungs and cleansing everything away until I genuinely enjoy spending time with him.
He doesn’t seem bored. In fact, he seems to be having a good time, but I still worry. “If you have someplace to be, you don’t have to stay,” I tell him.
“What? Why?” he asks. “I’m free all evening. Why would I leave?”
I stumble over my words. “Oh, no reason. I just . . . Nerves, I guess.”
“Nerves? Why?” I feel his eyes on me and I avoid them, a funny feeling clenching my stomach. It’s different than when I’m with Noah but no less intense, and I feel confused and loose tongued.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been on a date,” I admit, and then I spin in the middle of the bedding aisle as I sputter. “Not that this is a date. I’m just?—”
His laughter cuts me off, and the smile he aims at me is worth it. “It has been a long time since I’ve been on a date as well. How about we figure it out together?”
I relax and nod as he grabs my basket as we walk by the sale section. “Oh, that mug is cute.” I stop in front of a shelf, picking one of the matching sets up. There are a couple of designs, but the orange one makes me smile. I look at others. “Oh, they are all cute.” He stands at my side, waiting patiently. He was just as patient when I spent ages choosing bedding. He never once complained, letting me fuss.
“I probably only need one,” I mutter as I eye the mugs.
“What if I want coffee when I come to see you?” he asks, and I jerk my head up.
“You plan to come over?” I ask, flirting coming naturally.
“Maybe. If there’s a mug for me, then I guess I’ll have to.” He smiles, and I pick up two mugs, adding them to the basket he’s carrying. When he turns away, I hesitate and grab a third, just in case, for Noah.
“Here.” He turns and pushes a plushie at me. I blink down at it. It’s a cute, little bear holding a sun, and I raise my eyebrows. “It remindsme of you. It’s bright, happy, soft, and cute.” His cheeks flush with a blush. “Besides, it can keep you company in your new place.”
I’ve never been one for stuffed toys, but as I listen to his reasoning, I can’t help but clutch it against my chest. “Then we should name it,” I reply as we wander to the fourth floor.
“I’m rubbish at names, you pick it, I’m sure it will be perfect.” He grins. “Anything else?”
“No, I think that’s everything,” I reply as he leads me to the counter.
“Okay, let’s pay.” He puts the basket down, and I smile at the teddy as the cashier rings it up for me.
Conan and the woman chat happily about spring displays, and I tune them out until I hear, “Sir?”
I snap my head up.
“Can I scan that?”
“Oh, sorry,” I say, feeling embarrassed as I offer her the teddy. She smiles and scans it before passing it back.
“Okay, your total is three thousand forty-one dollars after the discount.”
