Page 140 of Butterfly Effect

“Aww,babycakes,” Wade croons and stops in his tracks and turns to scoop me up, arms tight around my puffy coat. “I’d never let anything happen to you.”

The snow crunches under his boots as he toddles us back to the XM.

“Ewwww. Ironically, I prefer Freckles.”

“Ironic? I’m nuts about these gorgeous things.” His nose grazes each cheek before planting audible kisses over them.

“You’re such a simp.” I attempt to uncouple from him by pushing with both hands, but it’s useless. He plops me down by the door.

“Foryou.”

“And cheesy, too,” I deadpan.

“You love it.” That knowing smirk makes me wanna wipe it off by doing punishing things to him, but there’s no time to act on my less-than-savory intentions. “Want me to drive?”

“No, I will.” My finger draws a circle, motioning for him to round the car.

“Phew,” he mimes wiping sweat from his brow, “I was born to be a passenger princess.”

Duffle and hockey sticks stored in the trunk, Wade buckles the snowman in the seat behind him and hops into the front.

I reverse and pull out of the lot. “I thought we were meeting at your place to drive to Landon’s family farm. I was heading your way.”

“I know, but the Rover is getting serviced, and I wanted to surprise you.”

My eyes fall on the sizeable plush figure in the back row through the rearview mirror. “I have many questions.”

He sucks down a gulp of the green contents of his protein shaker. “Ask away.”

“What’s with Frosty?”

He looks over his shoulder. “Whaddya mean?”

“Why is he here?”

“Ohhhhh! That’s for Radek’s niece and nephew, Sadie and Gunnar.” His arrogant smile returns in a flash. “I’m theirfavorite.”

“Riiiiiight.” I’m pretty sure Indi is their favorite, but don’t want to be the one to remove him from the delusion. “Where do you buy such a thing?”

Wade shushes me loudly and whisper-yells. “He can hear you. Frosty.” He turns over his shoulder to address the silly stuffed toy. “Don’t listen to her. She’s mean. Santa told me he’s putting coal in her stocking.”

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“Where does one buy anything good?”

His hands beckon the answer from me.

“Amazon?”

“Costco.”

“Costco? Why doyouhave a Costco membership?”

“Why doI” —he cuts himself off with a sputter of disbelief— “The real question is, why don’tyouhave a Costco membership?”

“Because I’m only one person.”

“That’s no excuse.” Wade pretends to lick a pen in the air and make a note by drawing squiggles on his palm. “Putting this on my list. Get Freckles a Costco card.”

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