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We strolled ahead.
“You know, maybe it’s best if we eat separately.”
Her fingers tightened on mine. “You like the weird food. Your mouth may not admit it, but you eat it, heartily I might add, so you don’t have to say a word.”
It wasn’t horrible. The ice cream was actually good and that açai stuff was too. But hell would freeze over before I spoke that out loud.
“I’m trying to impress my daughter.” I still had this unusual feeling every time I thought the word. It was fuzzy and warm and terrifying.
“That’s a good enough reason for me.” She tugged on my hand to slow me down. “Where are we going?”
“Here.” I led us into a boutique.
JoJo looked around at the leather products. “Are you trying to irritate me?”
I clamped my lips together to stifle my laugh. “I swear I didn’t. I’m guessing Penelope wouldn’t be a fan of leather products either?” How could I have forgotten?
“Um, no.”
“Can I help you?” A gentleman approached with a name tag on.
“Do you have any products that aren’t made of animals?” I asked.
“Right this way, sir.” He led us toward some shelves with a small sampling.
“That’s it?”
“We’re a leather store,” he said as if I were the idiot.
“I don’t like them.” I dragged JoJo out of the store.
“What on earth is happening?”
“I want to get Penelope a briefcase. She needs one instead of that big bag thing she carries around.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I forgot about the leather and the cows and the planet.”
Her gaze softened. “Where did you get yours?”
“My father gave it to me. But it’s leather—”
“I know a place.”
Relief filled me. Shopping for other people was impossible. Especially when I wanted to get it right.
“I’m picking it out,” I said. “But I need you to tell me if what I choose is all wrong.”
“I’ll sit back and let you do your worst.” She put her mouth close to my ear and suddenly I wasn’t thinking about briefcases anymore. “Wanna know a secret? You can’t get it wrong.”
“If she hates it, I’ll be wrong,” I said incredulously.
She shook her head. “She’ll love it because it’s from you.”
“But I want her to genuinely like it too.” Although her appreciating a gift from me was also a bonus.
“Let’s go see what they have.”
“Fine. Just make sure no animals or anything was harmed in the making of the bag.”
JoJo squeezed my fingers. “We may just make an Earth Warrior out of you yet, Mr. Zegas.”
