Page 70 of Lawson

“I think he’s starting to get the hint,” I say, stopping in front of a wall of shelves containing porcelain teacups and teapots that look straight out of the Victorian era. “The texting has gone down, but after everything, I'm not sure what’s going to be the final straw for this guy.”

I pick up a delicate teapot with blue and pink flowers painted all over it, the pattern looking incredibly similar to one I saw on the latest episode of Bridgerton we watched together.

I examine the thing a little closer, finding amade in Englandstamp on the bottom that makes me smile. My girl is obsessed with that show, and this will be a little piece of it for her world.

I clutch the thing to my chest, not wanting to break the delicate porcelain, and move on to the next section of the store.

“If you ever need any help with that,” Nash says. “Need backup to intimidate the asshole, you can always ask us, you know that right?”

“Aww,” I exaggerate the word and use my free hand to reach out to him, placing my hand on his shoulder and batting my eyes at him. “Did we just become best friends?”

Nash shakes his head. “Don't make me regret it,” he says.

Pax holds up an ancient-looking book,The Art of Afternoon Teascribbled across the spine in gold lettering. “This will go great with that teapot,” he says before using his free hand to wave enthusiastically to someone behind us.

Nash and I turn around, my hand still on his shoulder, the motion making me practically wrap my arm around the dude, a teapot clutched lovingly in my other arm, and our motherfuckingcaptainstaring at us like we’re aliens from another planet.

I quickly drop my arm from Nash, surveying the scene and trying not to laugh.

“We were just?—"

“I don't care,” Kiplin cuts me off, shaking his head at the three of us.

“Uncle Clay, these are perfect!” a young girl says as she runs from the front of the store, jumping up and down while she holds a pair of baby-blue gloves.

Clay looks down at the girl—who has dark black hair secured in two braided pigtails, and can’t be more than five years old—and surprisingly doesn’t drop the scowl off his face. “Are those the ones you want?” he asks, his voice just a hint softer than normal.

“Yes, please!” The girl stares up at him with the biggest grin on her face, like she doesn’t see the scary-as-shit-looking giant but just a big cuddly teddy bear.

“All right, then,” Clay says, waving her toward the counter.

I grab the book from Pax, thanking him before heading to the register myself. “Who is this?” I ask, waving down to the excited girl at Clay’s side.

“I’m Jessica,” the girl says. “His niece,” at the same time Clay says, “None of your business,” in a gruff tone that matches the near perma-scowl on his face.

“Nice to meet you, Jessica.” I grin down at her.

Clay eyes the teapot and book as I set it down on the counter next to him.

“If that's who I think it's for, then I definitelydon'twant to know who it’s for,” he says before handing Jessica the gloves he’s just bought for her.

Kiplin nods to Pax and Nash behind me, then gives me a shake of his head before reaching down, taking Jessica’s hand in his and exiting the store without another word.

I smile at the person behind the counter before looking at Nash and Pax. “I'm pretty sure I'm his new favorite,” I say, and the two laugh.

“You're definitely not,” Pax says, and Nash nods in agreement.

“I totally am,” I say with faux offense.

“You're not,” Nash says. “He's always harder on the people he actually likes.”

“Well that only further proves my point,” I say. “He's always riding me in practice.”

“Ha,” Pax laughs. “That isn't even half of what he could be doing, trust me.”

“Huh,” I say, handing the person behind the register a wad of cash as they gift wrap my two items. “I guess I'll have to work harder to annoy him then,” I say, smirking at my friends as I take my wrapped items and thank the person before we head out back onto Main Street.

“Good luck with that,” Nash says, tucking his hands back into his pockets to protect them against the cold.

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