“Um, what are you thinking?” I ask quietly.
He doesn’t look up. “Rotation is better for structure.”
He says it like he’s talking about training skates.
“Structure, of course.” I roll my eyes slightly.
He glances at Lucy, who is busy making the pair she still has on light up, over and over.
“She’s going to wear them out and outgrow them fast. It’s a lesson on sustainability, and how to care for things you want to last.”
“But we will absolutely not be making her feel bad about doing that.” I point at her, still stomping.
He chuckles, “No, not ever. She’s so fucking adorable, Hildy.” He smiles, “I hope my DNA doesn’t take away your red hair, or the mesmerizing green of your eyes, or lips, or?—”
I feel my face heat at not just his words but the way he’s looking at me, here, in public. “Well, I hope at least one has your eyes, your nose, and hair.”
He grips my hip and pulls me into him, kisses my forehead quickly, and looks down at me. “They’re going to be perfect, just like you and that one.” He nods to Lucy and smiles as he steps back.
The sales associate has set the boxes on the bench. “Hey, little miss, how about we try these on now?”
Lucy hops up on the bench and lets the woman go to work.
“Did I ever tell you, I actually enjoy shopping?”He is joking, right?“Not online, I need to feel the products, see that the companies I chose to support are actually getting them from.”Support?“I takeconsumptionvery seriously.”
He takes my hand and walks over, then lets it go as he lifts the first pair out of the box.
“These,” he says thoughtfully, glancing at Lucy’s outfit, “will be for your grey knit set. The one with the pleats that move when you walk.”
Lucy looks down at herself, surprised.
“The spinny one?”
“Yes. The spinny one. The pink keeps it playful.”
“And with your soft pink hair clip. Not the glitter one. The matte one.”
I blink when it hits me hard that he notices everything.
He reaches for the pale blue pair next.
“These are for your cream leggings and the oversized blue cardigan. The cardigan you pull over your hands because you think it makes you invisible.”
Lucy grins because it absolutely does not.
“And the ribbed socks,” he adds. “The ones with the tiny scalloped edge.”
The sales associate looks impressed. And me, I am sure I look slightly offended that he’s better at this than I am, but it is true.
He sets those aside and lifts the cream pair.
“These,” he says calmly, “are for your burgundy knit dress. And the dark tights. When you want to look… capable.”
Lucy straightens up instantly and repeats, “Capable.”
“Yes.”
Then he turns the lilac pair in his hands, studying the shade.
