Sagitta tensed, clearly wanting to escape this conversation he’d accidentally started. “You know.”
“I really don’t,” I said, clueless. “Can you elaborate?”
His mouth straightened into a stiff line. “You’re loyal, and easygoing, and always in a good mood. Plus you’re friendly and charming, like a dog. People immediately like you.”
“You didn’t,” I pointed out.
“Because you disobeyed my instructions,” he grumbled. “But I like you now.”
My heart pitter-pattered. But I knew he didn’t mean it likethat.
Probably.
I put my hand on my hip. “Okay, if I’m a dog, then are you a cat? Aloof and sharp and it takes a while for you to warm up to people?”
“I didn’t think about it that hard.”
I snorted. “But you’ve been thinking aboutmeas a dog?”
“Forget I said anything,” Sagitta snapped, his cheeks darkening. “Let’s go already. Are you done with the basket?”
I couldn’t resist the urge to tease him one last time. “I dunno, should I toss the doggy collar in there, too?”
He shot me a death glare, then stormed to the front counter in a clear directive to hurry the hell up.
With a thrill of mischief, I buried the collar at the bottom of the basket. It wasn’t really my thing, but it was worth it if I could see Sagitta blush again. And maybe if he had the nerve to ask me to wear it, I’d give it a try.
When I caught up with him at the front counter, he helped me unload the smorgasbord of sex toys.
“Stocking up?” Alex quipped as they scanned the items.
“These aren’t for us,” Sagitta said quickly. “They’re for... research.”
Alex nodded. “Sure, whatever floats your boat.”
I stifled a grin. Sagitta was cute when he was flustered.
Then I recalled when he saidI’dlook cute in the collar. That statement hit me far too late, like a truck I didn’t see coming. My pulse kicked into overdrive, making my whole chest vibrate.
He didn’t seem like he was making fun of me. He sounded serious.
Normally, this would be when Faust offered his unwanted input, but he remained silent. Or absent. Weirdly enough, I was starting to get worried. I knew the whole point of Sagitta moving in for a week was to get rid of Faust, but it felt odd thatthe demon who loved the sound of his own voice had vanished without a word.
Alex reached the bottom of the basket and Sagitta’s eyes rounded at the sight of the collar I’d sneaked in. He didn’t make eye contact with me as Alex scanned the tag and put it in the discreet paper bag with everything else.
“Is that everything for today?” Alex asked.
Sagitta cleared his throat. “And... I’d like another one of those pride pins, please.”
Alex scanned a second trans flag pin, then finally checked us out. Sagitta tapped his card, took the receipt, and nodded at me to carry our big purchase.
On the way out, I asked, “Is that pin for you?”
He let the question linger, as if finding the right words. “No,” he said gently. “You inspired me to buy it for someone important in my life.”
I beamed a smile at him. He looked uncharacteristically happy, too, until he frowned and said, “Anyway, buying that collar was a low blow.”
A sputtered laugh escaped me. “Dude, you started it by calling me cute and comparing me to a dog. Do you want me to wear it or not?”
