Page 102 of Blood and Bonbons

“Not until he can legally drive.” I glanced at the time. “Let’s start with something more practical. We have some time to buy you clothes if you want, Cross.”

Vena frowned. “Clothes shopping? That’s not fun. I want to go home and research before our shift, but I don’t want to leave you with Cross. He crawled into bed with you like he belonged there.”

“You know I can hear you, right?” Cross said dryly.

Vena arched a brow at him.

“And he saved our asses yesterday, Vena. Don’t forget that he’s had plenty of opportunities to bite us and hasn’t. Considering the trouble finding us lately, I think he’s as safe as it’s going to get. Anyway, we're in public.”

“So was the grocery store employee before Cross lured him away.”

I sighed. “Cross, do you promise not to lure me away?”

“I promise not to lure you in any way…today.” His expression was a combination of playfulness and something with a bit more steam.

My eyes went wide, and he grinned.

“See?” Vena said. “Flavor of the month.”

“I’ll be fine,” I said. “Today.”

He chuckled low, and Vena tsked but then nodded.

“I’ll hire a ride home. But I want regular check-ins.” She leaned in to whisper, “And pick up a new TV while you’re out. He owes us that much.”

“Did you forget the part where he saved our lives?”

“Fine. We can keep watchingThe Other Houseon our poverty TV. But don’t complain when it does its twitchy thing again.”

“I promise I won’t.”

Once Vena hired her ride, Cross and I walked to my car.

“What kind of clothes do you want?”

“Not these,” he said, looking down at his T-shirt and jeans. “I prefer a finer cut of luxury linens.”

“Just how rich were you?”

“Rich enough.”

I supposed that meant he had lived like a king. He would again, based on the value of all the coins he had tucked in his pocket.

Driving a few miles to a store that had an onsite tailor, I parked and asked, “Do you want me to get you a phone while you look for clothes?”

“I prefer you by my side, Everly.”

“Okay. Then clothes first and a phone later.”

We walked in and were immediately given the once over by a snooty salesman. Based on his tepid hello, we obviously didn’t look like his normal clientele.

“Please feel free to browse the rack. Clearance items are in back.”

“Clearance?” Cross asked.

“He means the stuff that’s on sale.”

“Why would I care if it’s in the back?” Cross asked.

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