Page 74 of This Mate Thing

She stares at me over her shoulder, and I shrug in reply."I think we should get slime too, or at least glitter balloons, but they're not on the list."

She laughs."I don't know where to get a heated blanket, sorry."

"Don't worry.We'll find one."

She hands over the presents, and we hurry off to the store with the kitchen appliances.The purchases there are a lot pricier.Those Ninja blenders aren't free.Though I pick the most expensive one, since I don't know which one he wants, so I only have myself to blame.I don't care what it costs.Ira's eyes are wide as the cashier offers to wrap it along with the vegetable chopper--I have no idea if I got the right kind, but I grabbed one I'd have wanted--and the measuring cups.

I nudge Ira's shoulder."Okay, heated blanket, duct tape, and gift card at the shoe shop left."

"And a Christmas tree."

"Yes, a Christmas tree.Should we bring back pizza or something for dinner?"I have my phone in my hand before I can think.I dial Simon while we wait.

"Hello?"He sounds a bit unsure.

"Hello, darling.Ira and I debated bringing back pizza for dinner.Any objections?"

"Eh...restaurant food twice in one day?"

"We'll be a bit longer, so we figured it would be easier to bring back something hot and ready to eat."I raise an eyebrow at Ira, who nods.

"Whatever you want."

"Whatever?Are you sure?"I make my voice go low and husky."Because, babe--"

"Pizza is fine!"

I laugh."See you in a bit.Probably an hour or a little more."

"Okay."

I want to tell him I love him, but he might not want to hear it."Miss you."

"Bye, Boris."

* * * *

Chapter 34

Simon

I stare out the kitchen window when Boris turns in on his driveway.There is a Christmas tree on the roof, and Ira is out of the car moments after it's stopped.

He's grinning from ear to ear.

Boris steps out and reaches into the backseat to grab a couple of pizza boxes.He hands them over to Ira before unfastening the Christmas tree and carrying it toward my house.Uh-oh.

I haven't so much as started to plan for Christmas--I can't afford to.

Ira tumbles in through the front door, dashes into the kitchen, where he drops the pizza boxes on the table."We got a tree!"

"I noticed."

Boris walks in behind Ira."Where's your tree stand?"

"Eh...basement."

Boris gives me an unimpressed look."Chop, chop, darling.We have a thirsty tree."