A small box gets tossed into the basket.
‘Condoms.’
Two packages. I read the label. ‘Extra-large, huh?’
He winks at me, looking smug as hell.
I look at the meagre supplies he’s chosen. ‘That’s it?’
He reaches out and takes the basket from me. ‘That’s it.’
‘But …’
When no smart-ass remarks come and he tilts his head at me, I sigh.
‘Cat, communication is kind of important with this thing. I need to know what’s going on in that head of yours,’ he says gently.
I look at my shoes, feeling the weight of my naivety. ‘I’ve never been in a place like this,’ I mumble. ‘And …’
‘And?’
I crook my finger and he leans in closer. ‘Is sex usually as scary as all of this makes it seem?’ I whisper to him, so humiliated to have to ask.
He wraps an arm around me and pulls me to him. It’s a natural movement, one we’ve done for years, and I settle against the line of his body without hesitation. But, unlike every other time, he lowers his face so we’re curved into each other.
‘No, babe.’ His arm tightens around my waist. ‘And I won’t let your big night be scary either.’
I nod against his chest, fears drifting away. Dally never breaks his word.
***
I let Cat wander the store, answering whatever questions I can. She’s nervous and skittish, but as we explore, she starts to calm down. Part of me is surprised she decided to come here on her own; the other part of me takes it as par for course.
We’re almost back to the front when she glances at the lingerie and raises an eyebrow. I’ve done laundry with her for years. I know the type of underwear she has. And after folding pair after pair of those cotton panties, I find the idea of stripping them off her a whole hell of a lot hotter than any of the shit that’s hanging on the racks.
I shake my head, smiling a little, and she looks away from the racks. Her eyes alight on a small, fairly tasteful display and I follow her over.
‘Honey dust,’ she reads. She picks up the canister, absently twirling the tiny feather duster as she skims the back label. ‘Dally—?’
The mixture of tempered excitement and nervousness on her face does me in. She could ask for nipple clamps and I wouldn’t be able to say no. ‘Want to try it?’
She bites her lower lip and looks back down at the canister. The saleswoman at the counter eyes us with clear curiosity bordering on rudeness. When I first walked in, she gave me a slow once over. At least being on the phone with Cat kept her from pouncing.
Cat looks torn. I can read her well, but this is different. She’s trying to prove herself to me and I hate feeling like I’ve brought on this lack of confidence by agreeing to this scheme. ‘Buy it,’ I urge. ‘It’ll be new for me too.’
Her face lights up and she clutches her prize as we head toward the counter. I set down the basket and pull out my wallet. Cat starts to protest, but I give her a look and she clams up.
The woman finishes ringing up my purchases as Cat eagerly sets her honey dust down and waits to ring out. Genuine anger flares in me when the woman takes in Cat out the corner of her eye and gets a little smirk on her face. Cat—an optimist who’s friendly with all strangers—doesn’t even notice the shift. But I do.
I can only guess at the thoughts running through the woman’s head. But they are definitely patronising towards my girl. I can’t let that stand.
I snag Cat’s honey dust and slide it toward the register. ‘This too.’ I glance back at Cat. ‘Can’t wait to try it out, babe.’
A dark part of me smiles when the woman blinks and deflates a bit. She adds it to the bag, which I hand to Cat, and gives me the total. I get back my change, let her keep the receipt, and escort Cat outside.
‘I could have gotten it,’ Cat says, peering into the black bag as we walk toward her car and my bike.
‘I know.’