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By the time we were done, we were carrying three large shopping bags filled with shirts, pants, pajamas, and boxer briefs. Was it a bit overkill? Maybe, but it was on clearance. Leaving them there was like losing money. Omega math.
As we walked back through the mall, Anders insisted on carrying all the bags, even though I offered to help. “You’ve done enough work today,” he said with a wink, and I couldn’t argue with that. Changing with my belly this round wasn’t for the meek.
We made our way to the food court, which was as empty as the majority of the mall seemed to be. I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t just the paternity store that went out of business.
The smell of freshly baked pretzels hit us as soon as we got close, and I couldn’t resist. We walked up to the pretzel stand, and I ordered two hot pretzels, one for each of us, with a side of cheese dip. I’d be the first to admit that pretzels were merely a vessel for cheese sauce. A delicious vessel, but without the cheese sauce the pretzel was of no interest to me.
We found a quiet table in the corner, and I watched as Anders bit into his pretzel. He was doing it wrong. I tore a hunk off of mine and dipped it in the cheese. The pretzels were warm and soft, the perfect comfort food after a long day of shopping.
“I take it back.”
I looked up at my mate, confused by his words.
“About?”
“I do like going to the mall… as long as it’s with you.” He reached up and rubbed his thumb along the corner of my mouth. “Cheese.”
“Mine.” I licked it from his finger, and he laughed and laughed.
It was a good day. A very good day.
Chapter 22
Anders
“I’m bored.” Brett licked his fingers as he lay on the bed, a box of chocolate ginger balanced on his big belly.
I handed him the tablet. “Lots of new shows on the streaming service.”
“Mmmm, but as much as I love the bedroom, I want to get outside.”
My mate was at the waddling stage—his words, not mine—so there’d be no hiking, he wouldn’t shift again until after the baby was born, and we’d checked off everything off his baby to-do list.
“I have an idea, so tell me if you’d be up for it.”
My mate popped another chocolate in his mouth and tossed one to me. We’d discovered a shared passion for ginger coated in chocolate, and the vegan place where Anders got a lot of his specialty items ordered some for him. Some being a huge carton containing twenty boxes.
“Try me.”
I gave him the short version, and he was all in. I bundled Choccie into the car, making sure we had snacks and water for him and human snacks for Brett.
“First stop, the hospital.”
Brett put a hand on my arm. “Shouldn’t it be the restaurant where you were talking to Jonah before you scented me?”
I agreed and started the car.
Ten minutes later we were on the restaurant terrace with Choccie in his carry case.
“This is the table.” I took out my phone and snapped a pic as Darcy approached.
“We’re not eating, just commemorating our meeting and courtship, and I’m making a digital album for the baby.”
“Sounds fascinating,” Darcy deadpanned. “Bet your little one will be super excited looking at a pic of a table and chair.”
I glared at her, and she tapped my elbow. “Just joshing you, Anders. It’s sweet you are recreating it.” She placed the menus on the table.
“I could eat.” Brett sank into a chair and ordered an avocado-and-tomato baguette. “It’s just a little break in the tour, love.”
