“Hey, Ray,” I say, heading for the shelves. “Emergency supply run.”
He laughs. “Sounds about right. I was wondering why you weren’t here last week.”
Lix stiffens beside me, his blue eyes looking dark, narrowing in on the man at the register. I catch onto it fast, making me smirk.
I grab an armful of bottles, different types and scents. I’m someone who obviously likes my variety.
“We’re taking these,” I tell Ray while my fingers flick through a bowl of condoms, all of ‘em fun flavors. “And this whole bowl, to be honest. If you have more in the back, I’ll take everything that’s cherry-flavored.”
Ray nods, going to the backroom but not before sparing a scared glance at Lix.
Lix clears his throat. “Are you a regular here?” he whispers.
“Yep,” I say, smirking wider. “This place has seen me at my best and my worst. Got a problem with that, babe?”
He rolls his eyes, grumbling to himself while turning away from me. I fight back a chuckle and mentally note to give him more head to cheer him up later.
Ray comes back with a big box in his hands, then scans each thingI’m buying. The scanner’s beeps pass between us for a while, before he mutters, “New guy’s intense, Stan.”
“You’re gonna have to get used to it. I’m bringing my better thirds with me from now on.”
He lifts his brows, looking confused. “Your…what?”
Over my shoulder, I catch Em holding up dick-shaped candy curiously and see how Lix’s ears go pink when he’s watching her wave it around.
“We’re together,” I clarify. “All three of us.”
“Oh, shit, wow,” he says, smiling. “Good for you. Poly’s all the rave these days.”
I shake my head, grin returning. “Not a trend for me. This is a forever thing.”
He moves his head, getting a better look. “Didn’t peg you for a commitment kind of guy.”
“Let’s not write pegging off so soon,” I joke.
He chokes on a laugh, fingers pausing over the register. I chuckle this time, looking over at Em and Lix.
Em’s holding Lix’s hand, their fingers laced, both of them staring down a display of more candies like they’re examining artifacts. She picks one up, turning it between her fingers with a thoughtful look. Lix leans in closer, saying something under his breath that makes her laugh, light and quiet. He smiles too, just a small one, like he’s trying not to.
My chest does that stupid thumping thing again.
I tap the counter with two fingers and nod in their direction. “Yeah, so add that whole display too. All of it.”
Ray follows my gaze and lets out a laugh. “You’re serious?”
“Dead,” I say. “Delivered to the Knights’ estate. ASAP.”
He shakes his head but starts punching it into the register.
I lower my voice. “Use Damon’s credit card for this one. We maxedout Sterling’s, right?”
That gets a full laugh out of him, so loud that Em looks over, eyebrows lifting. I throw a wink at her.
“They never check their credit card bills,” I add casually. “That’s what they get.”
Ray snorts, wiping at his eyes as the register keeps beeping. “I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that.”
“Appreciate you,” I say.
