Damon slides his hand under the dining table to squeeze my knee, making his thoughts on living separately very clear.
“No,” I blurt. “It’s not that I don’t want to.” In fact, it would be much easier. “I just don’t want to be far from the Stellas. I didn’t really have many friends before moving here, so I’d like to stay close to them. What about one of the beach houses?”
Despite what happened at Amora’s last night, I loved the vibe, and it would be amazing to wake up to that gorgeous lake view.
“I’ll see what I can do.” Cole taps away on his phone. “In the meantime, Ren and Damon can take you shopping to get everything you need while you’re here.”
“What about me?” Laz pouts. “Can’t I go?”
“Not until you finish your essay,” Cole scolds him. “You handed in your last two assignments late, and I’m not making another donation to the graphic design department to stop them from throwing you out.”
I gasp. “They almost kicked you out?”
Laz rolls his eyes. “Cole exaggerates.”
“Tell that to my bank balance,” Cole mutters.
“It’s not that Laz is a bad student,” Ren comments. “He just doesn’t seem to understand the idea of deadlines.”
“I work on my own timeline.” Laz huffs. “But fine. I won’t go shopping.” He moodily stuffs an entire chocolate muffin into his mouth.
“You can come next time,” I promise. “If you complete your assignments on time.”
“If you can find a way to motivate him, little omega, I’d appreciate it,” Cole adds.
Damon smirks. “I’m sure she can think of a few ways.”
“I’m off to run a few errands. I’ll see you later.” After standing from the table, Cole bends to kiss me on the cheek. “If you need anything at all, call me. Though you’re in good hands.”
“She’s not leaving my side all day,” Damon vows.
After I’ve changed into another of the outfits that the guys bought me, Frank gives us a ride down to Nora’s Nest Nook. Despite my insistence that I could walk, Damon’s treating me like I’m maimed after my fall yesterday.
It’s the first time I’ve been to Nora’s. It has a quaint, cottage-like exterior with a lavender sign and a dreamy feather logo. The window display is minimal, with gauzy drapes and twinkling candles. A bell tinkles above the door as we enter what is an absolutely massive store.
It smells inviting, like freshly baked cookies on a summer breeze. The store has multiple levels and arrows to direct you in the right direction. The, “Soft Furnishings Department” is in the basement, this floor stocks, “Omega Wellness and Gifts,” and the floor above is, “Electronics and Lighting.”
My mouth falls open as I look around. I’ll bet any giftable item I can think of will be sold here. We’re surrounded by shelves lined with perfumes, and shelves stacked high with chocolates and sweets. They even have a florist corner with the most gorgeous bouquets I’ve ever seen. At the back, there’s a toiletry section laden with colorful rows of bubble baths, shampoos, and lotions—many of which I recognize from Cole’s bathroom shelf.
“I’ve never been in a store like this,” I say, mesmerized.
“Nora’s will have everything you need.” Ren grabs a shopping cart. “Put in anything you like. It’s our treat. How about we start in the basement?”
We travel downstairs in a huge elevator that has lilac-colored velvet walls and a calming lavender scent.
When the doors open, we’re transported into comfort heaven. There are rows of blankets in every color and pattern you can imagine, from animal print to florals and pastels. I’ve never seen such a variety of cushions and pillows. Some of them are even bigger than Damon and promise to contour to your body. Others claim to be 100 percent slick-proof while retaining their softness. Everywhere I look there’s velvet, fur, tassels, pom-poms, and feathers. It’s complete fabric overload. They even have shelves full of stuffed animals.
Anything I touch and vaguely like, Damon throws into the cart.
“I don’t think I need ten different throws,” I point out.
“But you like them, don’t you?” he responds as if that’s reason enough.
“Let us spoil you, baby.” Ren winks at me. This shopping trip isn’t just about me. It’s about them too. “We’ve been waiting years for this.”
Ren dons a serious expression as he offers me two blankets to stroke, asking which texture I like more.
“What color would you prefer?” he asks. “The magenta or hot pink?”
