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.