Which wasn’t bad. I totally love the little samples of stuff they put in the bathrooms at major hotels.

Dad sometimes had us in really cushy places with nice high-end samples I stashed in the truck. I

rated them according to effectiveness and smell, and I went through a phase when I was about thirteen of saving a bunch of them before I figured out there are always more hotels.

Sometimes I still think about that clutch of little trial bottles in a dark Dumpster somewhere. Like a

rock collection or something.

I checked the price and decided what the hell, plopped the hoodie into the cart. “I think that’s everything, after we make a run through the pharmacy section. Since Graves thinks I should pick my own

Midol. Is there anything you guys need while we’re here?”

Leon actually laughed. “They have slushies up at the front.”

“Jesus Christ,” Benjamin muttered. “Nordstroms. Macy’s. We could go to Paris for the spring season. I was expecting transatlantic flights.”

I figured ignoring that was best for all concerned. “Is there an Old Navy around here? They’ve got

shorts and stuff.” I caught the look Benjamin gave me. “What?”

“Nothing. We just thought a svetocha would be more, well, difficult.” Leon’s mouth twitched. “I do

seriously want a slushie.”

I tried a tentative smile. I definitely liked him now. “I haven’t had one in ages. Maybe the guys outside—the double blonds—would want one, too?”

For some reason Leon found that utterly fricking hysterical. He snorted and chuckled all the way

through Housewares to the Health and Beauty section, and even Benjamin unbent enough to grin.

We did stop in the Sports section for a sleeping bag, and I made Graves get a good one, too. Clothes

are one thing, but you don’t skimp on gear. I also dawdled in the office-supplies section until

Graves threw a couple pads of paper and some pencils in the cart, glaring at me like he dared me to

take them out.

Benjamin tried to take us to some Italian place for lunch, but Leon asked about Mexican food. And

that sounded really good, so we ended up in some hole-in-the-wall place where I hogged a lot of

tortilla chips and Benjamin got two margaritas by just smiling at the waitress and asking politely.

He looked like he needed them at that point.

Jealousy

CHAPTER ELEVEN

First I was back in Target picking out wedding dresses. Yards of white lace and froth, while invisible people stood around and commented. “No, too small . . . too big . . . will never fit you . . . too

classic, too tight . . .”

Until I felt like screaming because all I wanted was a dress that worked. Then I was trying to try

them on and there was no dressing room because if I went in there I might disappear, so at the end