She huffed. “You don’t have to be a smartass. It was just a question.”Seraphimhad three sets of wings, but if Sam could shift his away, who’s to say he wasn’t keeping the others hidden? It was a logical question.
Rory’s father eyed Sam’s wings and shook his head. “I’ll neverget used to that.” Patrick kissed Rory goodbye and waved to Sam as he left for work.
Once he was gone, Rory and Sam settled in on the couch and watched an arrowball game. He surprised her by yelling at the ES when the red and gold team made an error. The game reminded her of the time she and Caius played, and she wished he were here. Would he and Sam root for the same team, or would they argue the entire time?
Yawning, she stretched and stood. “I’m heading to bed.”
“Goodnight,” he said distractedly, leaning around her to look at the game.
When she reached her room and started to undress, she felt something warm between her legs and paused before rushing to the bathroom. Much to her dismay, she'd started her period.
Tomorrow she would pick one up, but it wouldn’t stop her current bleeding, only prevent it in the future. She searched the cabinets for something to absorb the blood, finding nothing.
“Great.” After stuffing toilet paper into her panties, shuffling to her dresser to grab a fresh pair, and going back to switch them out, she begrudgingly went downstairs. “Can you take me to the store?” she asked as she entered the living room.
Sam never took his eyes off the ES. “We will go in the morning.”
Moving her body between him and the game, she rested her hands on her hips. “I need period supplies.”
She expected him to flinch or grow uncomfortable, but he did neither. Instead, he turned off the ES and rose to his feet. “List what products you need.” He went to the door and pulled on his boots. “The brand, type, and size.”
“What? I can run in to get them,” she insisted.
He walked into the office, returning with a notepad and pen. “You have nothing on now?” he asked.
“I put toilet paper in my underwear to hold me over.” She pulled on her shoes as well and waited by the door.
“That cannot be comfortable, nor is it secure,” he informed heras though she wasn’t the one with a wad of paper smashed in her underwear. “I will grab them while you stay in the vehicle,” he continued. “Unless you want me to purchase the entire feminine aisle, I need you to write down your preferences.”
Touched, she grabbed the pen and paper from him, writing quickly. “Thank you. I always knew you were a softy.”
“Being a decent person does not make me soft,” he replied and walked outside.
Sam heldRory’s items in his left hand and approached the checkout line. The woman in front of him seemed familiar, and when she turned to the side, his entire body imploded with an unfamiliar emotion.
“Anastasia,” he murmured before he could stop himself.
She glanced behind her with no recognition on her face. Something within him plummeted. Unless they were in The Capital, she would have no memory of him.
“Do I know you?” she asked in a polite tone.
He cleared his throat and placed Rory’s items on the checkout conveyer belt. “We met once.”
Twisting her mouth to the side, she scanned his face. “You would think I would remember someone like you.” Her neck turned red with her admission, and he couldn’t help but smile.
“Why is that?” he asked, trying not to stare at the blush creeping into her face.
“Next!” the man behind the counter called out.
Flustered, Anastasia hurried forward without answering his question. She studiously ignored him as she checked out, and he wanted her to look at him.Turn around, Anastasia.
Gathering her two bags, she stepped away but stopped and turned back, making his heart thump harder. “I didn’t get your name.” The nervousness in her voice made it clear she didn’t speak to strangers often.
He held out his hand for her to shake. “Sam.”
She hesitantly stuck her hand in his, and his skin warmed where it touched hers. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“We’ve met,” he reminded her, and her blush deepened.Aether, he loved that.
