“We’ve got time, and I still have to grab food for dinner. Make a list and I’ll take you to the candle store before we go grocery shopping.”
“The candle store?”
Will stepped up to her and put his hands on her shoulders. She very deliberately clamped down on any and all warm tingles that might have resulted from the contact. “Emmy, it’s time for me to confess everything. Not only do I not own candles, I don’t even know where candles could bepurchased. I have never once in my life bought a candle. I hope our relationship won’t suffer too horribly now that you know the truth.”
“Will.” Emmy put a hand on his bicep, squeezed. Couldn’t help thinking,Wow, that is a firm bicep. “I forgive you all your flaws. And I bet Bright sells candles.”
“Oh yeah. They might be weird, though. She doesn’t seem like the type to sell traditional smelling candles… like… peaches and cream or whatever.”
Emmy shrugged. “We’ll make it work. If your parents comment, we’ll say we’re supporting a local business.”
“Sounds like a plan.” He dropped his hands and made his way to the fridge to hunt for breakfast. “That reminds me, my parents weren’t the only ones to try to set up dinner plans with us this week. Jared and Bright also extended an invitation.”
“JaredandBright? As in… Jared and Bright together? They’re already at the dinner-invitation-from-both-of-us stage of the relationship?”
“Apparently.”
“That is so weird. Maybe we should go and both of us can just talk endlessly about jellyfish. See if either of them notices.”
His laugh was strained. “Let’s just get through this thing with my parents first. Try to keep sea creatures out of the discussion for now.”
“I’ll do my best.”
A short drive later, they were back in Bright Ideas looking at a display of handmade candles. The glass containers were artfully arranged on a counter along with paperweights that looked for all the world like… yep, they were glass boobs.They looked handmade. Will resisted the urge to run his finger over a surprisingly realistic nipple.
“Maybe this one?” Emmy said. He turned to see her holding a green candle with three wicks sticking out of it. She gave it a sniff, shrugged, and offered it up to him. “What do you think?”
He obliged her even though he couldn’t have cared less what scent of candle she purchased. “It’s fine. What is that? It smells like…”
“Mojito,” Emmy confirmed. “I like it. But maybe it’s the wrong vibe for a meet-the-parents meal?” She put the lid back on the candle and selected another one that was a rich reddish brown color. After a sniff, she smiled with satisfaction. “This is the one. Masala chai. Very subtle and homey.”
She grabbed two large candles and they headed up the counter. Bright greeted them with a genuine smile.
“Hey! I didn’t know you were here. Did Jared remember to invite you guys out? We’re free tonight if you don’t have anything going on.”
“He mentioned it,” Will told her. “But we have to rain check. My parents are coming to our place for dinner tonight.”
“Exciting!” She took the candles from Emmy and began wrapping them in gold-accented tissue paper. “Well, it’s an open invitation. Seriously, I need very little notice. Just let us know when would be good for you.”
“For sure,” Emmy said. “Thanks for the invite. I’m glad things are going so well between you and Jared.”
“Oh, me, too. I can’t believe how well we clicked. It was just…” She did a happy shoulder wiggle. “… like a key in alock. Instant connection. I’m definitely feeling saucy, sassy, and fancy these days.”
She totaled up the two candles and Will had to swallow several remarks that popped into his head when he saw that they cost thirty-five dollars apiece. It wasn’t like it was real money. For once, the knowledge that his world was fictional came as a comfort to him.
They said goodbye to the woman who was once supposed to be his soulmate and headed to the grocery store. After some brief deliberation, Will decided to make sweet potato fritters with goat cheese and a green salad with bacon crumbles.
“Damn. You’re pulling out all the stops,” Emmy commented. “You’re actually buying lettuce. I don’t know if I have ever bought actual lettuce.”
“What have you been buying? Fake lettuce?”
“No, I mean, I buy bagged salads. Premade stuff.”
“Oh, yeah. I usually do that, too, but this is a special occasion.”
“Can I help you cook?” Emmy asked. “I wouldn’t mind learning how to treat real lettuce right.”
“Sure. It’s a pretty simple meal.”
