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“You’ll love it. I promise.” She grinned and picked the machine off the shelf.
“Let me get that for you.”
She stared at him pointedly. “Yeah, because I’m the one holding a cane.” She shook her head. “It’s not that heavy.”
“Fine.” Maybe they should’ve grabbed a cart to lug that around. “Is there anything else we need?”
“Yes. We need to head to the craft section next. We need items for the kids to make ornaments, and this year we’ll also do a reindeer hot chocolate craft.”
“Then I’m grabbing a cart.” He maneuvered around the store with his cane until he found an empty cart and returned to the spot where he’d left Bebe.
When Bebe had first suggested the reindeer hot chocolate, Jahleel thought she was slightly unhinged. But he had to admit, a pack of hot chocolate decorated as a reindeer was a cute gift and something the kids would enjoy.
“Ready now. Lead the way.” He gestured ahead of him.
Bebe placed the karaoke machine in the cart, then headed down the aisle. She looked adorable in her white sweater that fell to mid-thigh, where his eyes couldn’t help but follow the candy canes decorating her leggings. She looked festive, and he just wanted to wrap her in his arms.
It was official. He was a goner. What else made sense? Jahleel usually hated shopping, and now he was actually enjoying himself.
They hit the craft aisle, filling their basket with eyeballs, red felt balls, and material for reindeer ears. Fortunately, thestore had lots of materials to make your own ornaments. Next, they hit one of the food aisles to grab hot chocolate. All the while, they laughed and joked.
He kissed Bebe’s forehead. “This has been a lot of fun.”
“You seem shocked.” Her green eyes twinkled with amusement.
“We are in a store.”
She grinned. “Still allergic to shopping?”
“Yes, ma’am. That’s why I have a personal shopper.”
“That is so sad. A grown man who can’t even shop for himself.”
He couldn’t tell if she was teasing him or something else. “What can I say? The comforts money will bring.”
“Do you think that’s true?” A V formed on her brow.
“What?” He stared at her. There seemed to be some downward shift, but he wasn’t sure why. Or what had caused the somber mood. Was it related to Will and their conversation yesterday?
“Do you truly think money brings comfort? That it’s a better substitute for presence?”
“Presents? Like those boxes under a tree?”
“No.” She huffed. “I think people believe they can throw money around instead of showing up. You see people who will chase after money until it consumes them. Never satisfied with the ‘comforts’ it brings.” She used air quotes oncomforts.
Now they were getting somewhere. “Peopleor your ex-husband?” he asked softly.
Bebe swallowed.Ah-ha.
“I’m not like Will. Yes, I believe that money brings comfort. I was able to hire a limo for us on our date. I am funding everything for the Christmas ball. But I’m not absent. I’m active in the committee, and I think you know that.”
“I know.” She sniffed.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
A tear trailed down her face, and his gut twisted. Did he still need to prove himself to Bebe, or was there something more? Because here he was, shopping for Christmas crafts. If that didn’t tell her his commitment to the ball—toher—he didn’t know what would.
“Will doesn’t want to be Hope’s father anymore.”
