Page 7 of Cross + Catherine: The Companion

Catherine weaved through the crowd at The Annex. Tables and tents had been set up for the many vendors.

Crafts and spices.

Jewelry and more.

Some of it was garbage, but some of it was interesting. Which was exactly why Catherine had wanted to come.

The first and only time she had been to The Annex, Catherine had found some of the coolest and most interesting pieces of jewelry. Some of them homemade, and others, just old and different. Strange and curious pieces that were a perfect fit for Catherine’s odd styles and tastes. Like the conch shell bracelet Cross had made for her that she still wore every single day.

She was hoping to find something cool again today.

Catherine didn’t know where Zeke had gone to. The guy disappeared shortly after they arrived. He did tell them what time they would have to leave, and where to meet him when they were ready to go.

Cross stayed close to Catherine as they navigated the growing crowd. Their fingers stayed woven together while the melting pot of people and vendors practically swallowed them whole. People watching was just as interesting to Catherine as finding one of her treasures.

“Do you know what you’re looking for?” Cross asked.

Catherine eyed a table full of jarred jams. The bright red ones looked sweet. The dark-eyed woman sitting behind the jams smiled at her.

“Not until I find it,” Catherine said.

Cross laughed. “This could take a while, then.”

“Yep.”

“Let me guess … that’s the fun part.”

Catherine grinned widely. “Yep.”

“I mean, as long as you’re having fun, Catherine.”

She squeezed his fingers woven with her own. “I always have fun with you, Cross.”

He smirked, and pulled her in closer to his side. For a while, the two simply stayed like that and watched the crowd of people moving around The Annex.

“All right,” Cross finally said, tugging Catherine into the crowd, “let’s find you something amazing, babe.”

He already had found something amazing for her.

Him.

He just didn’t know it.