Page 97 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“Um, I wasn’t sure if you like muffins, well, I mean, you do, right?” Why was this so awkward?
“I do.” He took a sip of his tea and his eyebrows rose as if to ask how I knew what to get.
“I asked Gwen.” I ducked my head.
Tenzin gave me a nod of thanks and picked up his book.
The flight attendant called for first class and we boarded. I found myself next to Tenzin. The seats weren’t as comfy and spacious as the Knights’ private plane, but were still big enough for most alphas. Tenzin looked uncomfortable, but then he was a big boy.
He had his book out. “Thank you again. The muffin was the perfect size. You got the blueberry with the little sugars on it. It’s my favorite. But don’t feel you have to do things like that for me.”
The praise made a very different type of warmth flow through me. “You do such a good job of taking care of Gwen. Who takes care of you?”
His head cocked. “I’m an alpha. I take care of people.”
“Same. Hey, do you like the beach? I hope we get to spend some time there.” I’d only been a couple of times.
Maybe I’d take my family on a vacation next off-season. The problem was that hockey off-season was high-season for my parents.
“I enjoy going to places I’ve never been,” he told me, as people continued to board. “I’d like to get some good photos.”
“That sounds nice. I’d like to see the stars there. It’s fun looking for the same constellations in different places. I’ve never been good at photographing them, though,” I replied.
Tenzin nodded. “Photographing the sky is an art.”
I got out my Game Buddy. “Do you play video games?”
He shook his head. “Not really. Your tie is crooked.”
Tenzin straightened my tie, making me once againvery aware of him. Of his touch. The muscles in his face. His citrus scent that wasn’t quite lemon or lime.
“There. That’s a very interesting tie pattern.” He brushed my suit with his hands.
“Oh, Gwen got it for me. It's like the wallpaper in the waiting room of the Defender League headquarters in the movies. The tie tack is their symbol. I have a matching pocket square, but I’m not really a pocket square guy. I used it to make wallpaper on my bookshelf for my Defender League figures,” I told him. “Do you like those movies?”
My dad taught me to read using the comics, and I still found them and graphic novels easier than books.
The flight attendant brought us drinks. Tenzin blinked a little, like he had no idea what I was saying.
“I love Professor Weird,” he finally told me. “That latest movie with the multiverse was a mind-fuck.”
“I know, right? The multiverse is trippy.” Of course, his favorite Defender League character was Professor Weird, who was one of the more obscure characters. Gwen loved Aquatica, who was an underwater badass. I liked Captain Everything, given he was cheerful and always did what he thought was right.
He eyed the tie. “Gwen got it for you?”
“She got my name in the team holiday gift exchange last year.” My cheeks burned. “Since we wear suits, she thought I’d like it.” I loved it.
“You looked good out there, dancing with her,” he added, gazing at me.
“It was fun. Don’t feel you need to include me in all the special things you and Gwen do together. It’s okay for us to do different things with her,” I told him. “Like outdoor yoga–or that show you watch. You can keep those. Though I will totally join you at the zoo for Marty visits.”
His head cocked. “Is it the show itself or the subtitles?”
My breath caught in my chest. “The subtitles. How… how did you know?”
“Cooter is dyslexic. He prefers dubbing to subtitles. I’m unsure if there’s a dubbed version of this one. When we start a new show, I can look for a dubbed version?” he offered.
“That would be nice, but again, you and Gwen should have your things. I don’t want to encroach.” I was amazed that he guessed, since it wasn’t something I told people. It was why I preferred comics to books.
