My last stop was the grocery section. Since I’d seen the contents of Jared’s refrigerator, I stocked up on a few essentials, including more fully cooked bacon, a carton of fresh eggs, bread, pancake mix, and sliced cheese. Hey, if I was spending the night, at least we’d have a delicious breakfast.
Next up was baby formula and puréed fruit in jars and juice. I also picked up some cookies and milk, my go-to snack when I couldn’t sleep.
Or when I was sleeping in the same house with my babymaking best friend.
Then I wandered into the Christmas area, a place I had no business being in—especially when I was riding an emotional razor’s edge. Tinsel and an unstable mindset were a sure recipe for trouble.
My exhausted gaze roamed the shimmery, shiny shelves. Glittery trees and boxes of glass ornaments and garland stretched as far as the eye could see.
I glanced at my cart. Not much room left. Time to get creative.
In my defense, some of the stuff I bought I intended to take home. Yes, I put those items on Jared’s credit card as well. I would just take them as my small payment for this unexpected shopping trip.
I might have had to go ba
ck up and get another cart, but that was just so all my purchases weren’t piled on each other.
Right. It was a good excuse anyway.
As I drove back to Jared’s with the very long receipt tucked in my pocket, I turned on Christmas carols to keep myself awake. No, I did not love them, especially before Thanksgiving. But seeing that holiday wonderland had given me just a bit more Christmas spirit. Especially for the baby. I didn’t want her first holiday with her father to be lackluster. Not that he wouldn’t do his best—that was basically in the Brooks DNA—but he was overwhelmed, and the details might slip by him.
I was good with details. I was also slightly gleeful imagining his expression when he looked in the trunk and saw all that I’d purchased.
It didn’t take long for me to get what I’d wished for.
“What the hell is all this?”
Blinking innocently, I glanced up at Jared. He hadn’t put on his jacket to come outside and help me unload and the snowflakes were collecting on his thick dark hair and melting all over his broad shoulders in his button-down shirt. He still hadn’t changed from his work clothes. Since I knew his love of his ripped to hell jeans and T-shirts when he was home, I figured he’d been pacing and watching the baby the whole time I was shopping.
Guilt tickled at the back of my brain and was ruthlessly dispatched. Sure, I’d enjoyed shopping—maybe too much—but the baby had needed all of these things.
Almost all of them.
“You needed things for your child. I shopped.”
He picked up a ginormous round of multi-colored garland. “What does she need this for?”
“It’s her first Christmas, you dolt. Don’t you want her to have fond memories?”
His jaw locked as he looked down at the ground. “She will barely be three months old for Christmas,” he muttered.
I rubbed his arm and tried not to notice all his freaking muscles. Did he bench press sedans in his free time or what?
“She’ll still know. But don’t worry. When I’m done with your place, you can be certain she’ll be in a festive wonderland for her first holiday season with daddy.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why is your mood so much better?”
Cheerfully, I withdrew my miles-long receipt and pressed it into his hand. “That may have something to do with it. I bought a couple of things to decorate my apartment too. Thanks.”
Eyebrow raised, he unfurled the receipt and checked the total with a wince before shoving it in his pocket. “What exactly is all this? Will I even know what to do with it?”
“Yes. Most is self-explanatory. I’ll help where I can. This was a little indulgent, but I figured you wouldn’t mind too much.” Because it was in the top bag, I withdrew the little plaid-skirted outfit and shirt that said Auntie Claus on the front. Immediately, his expression softened. “Because I am like her aunt. Right? So, she should have cute duds proclaiming it.”
“Her aunt?” he asked softly, his words nearly sucked away by the cold wind.
I swallowed over the dryness in my throat. “Yeah, I mean, that’s sort of what I am. I guess.”
His mouth tightened and I would’ve sworn he was going to speak, but then he jerked a thumb at the full trunk. “Why don’t you go in, and I’ll take care of this stuff?”