Page 57 of Hero for the Holidays

That was a pretty big indictment of the actual situation.

Fia took them straight to the feminine health products and grabbed two boxes of something clearly labeled Underwear. So there. It existed. He learned something new.

They were also right next to an array of condoms and lube.

Fia determinedly looked at none of it.

“Let’s go look at some snacks. I’d like to have more stuff for her. Easy to make things.”

“She can always just come to my house during the day.”

“I need to have food for her at my place,” he said.

“I guess,” said Fia.

“There’s no ‘I guess’ about it. She’s mostly doing school at my place.”

“She doesn’t have to. She can do it at mine.”

“Yeah.”

Fia then went and got her own cart, which felt like an act of defiance, and they started a run of competing supplies.

This was healthy.

They went through the line together and paid. When they got back in the car, he didn’t really know what to say. So he said about the dumbest thing he could have.

“It seems like they have a lot more kinds of lube than they used to.”

Hehadnoticed that, but it was maybe not the best thing to say to his former lover. His former lover who he was still feeling a whole lot of things for.

“I’m sorry,what?”

“Just...a thing I noticed when we were in the aisle with the condoms.”

She tapped the steering wheel aggressively with her palm. “I would’ve assumed that you were a lube aficionado,” she said. “Or do none of the girls you bang need it?”

He was shocked, jolted by her mention of other women. And whether or not his seduction attempts required additional lube.

“This doesn’t need to be a whole discussion, Fia. It was an attempt at small talk.”

“An attempt at small talk aboutlube. Interesting.Interesting choice.”

“I’m filled with nothing but interesting choices.”

“For sure.”

She let that ride, thank God. The only sound in the car was the tires on the pavement.

“So. How many women have benefited from your expertise since me?”

He thought he’d said the worst thing possible. But no,she’dgone and done it.

He was floored by that question. And also, he hated it. He did not want to talk about sex with Fia. Not now, not ever.

“None of this is about us.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that.” She paused for a beat. “I don’t actually care.”

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