Page 26 of Little Saint Nautilus

“It was nice to watch you with them. You bring a lot of joy to your customers.” As much as I’d used the time to observe interactions, it was Cory who held my attention more than anything. He was a beautiful person with a good heart. Of course, I’d already known that, but it made me feel even more grateful to have him as my mate.

“I try. The beach atmosphere tends to lend to a more cheerful spirit in general. It’s not always so, but I try to keep it chill.”

“I thought the temperature was pleasant,” I said as we reached the truck.

Cory snorted. “Thanks, Nemo.”

He opened my door, and I climbed in, pulling the seatbelt on for myself, and clicked it into place. When Cory got in, he turned to face me. “How are you doing?”

I inhaled deeply. It was easier when I had been distracted and hadn’t had to think about it. I feared if I let my mind dwell on my shell, I would have a harder time coming back up to the surface. “I’m…okay.”

Cory narrowed his eyes, clearing sensing the lie, but he reached across and brushed my hair back. “It’s okay if you’re not.”

My eyes grew warm, threatening to release tears again, which is exactly what I didn’t want, but I couldn’t voice anything, so I simply nodded.

“All right. I’m thinking we pick up some food and head home. I’m not sure I feel like cooking tonight.”

“Pick up food? Off the ground?”

Cory’s eyes lit with humor. “No, little one. There are restaurants that make food, so you don’t have to. So we can stop at one, place our order, and they’ll make what we request. Then we can take it home to eat in privacy.”

As a scavenger, it was strange to think about having to prepare food. In my nautilus form, I would simply float around and find whatever remnants I could. Though… I wasn’t in my nautilus form. The thought sank in my belly. I would have to get used to finding or making food in this form. I did enjoy the breakfast Cory had made for us. It was a rather exciting experience. Perhaps I would find something as tasty as eggs and toast.

“What food do you like to pick up, Cory? I’d like to try something you enjoy.”

“Yes! Challenge accepted. I’m introducing you to a California food staple. We’re getting tacos.”

“Tacos,” I repeated, loving the way the word sounded. Ta-cos.Tacos.

“I know just the place, too, and it’s on the way home.”

“Home? I thought we were going to get a Christmas tree.”

Cory slid a glance over at me. “Oh. I wasn’t sure you were still wanting to do that. I know it’s been a difficult day.”

“It might be nice to have something to focus on, besides they bring you joy, and I want to make you happy.”

His hand landed on my leg, giving it a light squeeze. “I’m already happy with you, Nemo, but maybe it’s not a bad idea. Okay, we’ll go to the store, then dinner, andthenhome.”

Another tiny empty space filled within me. I didn’t think I would ever not feel the ache of my missing shell, but Cory helped, and I would have to focus on it.

We pulled into a large parking lot that was filled with vehicles. Cory sucked his teeth and said, “Ah, fuck. I forgot about how busy it would be so close to Christmas. A lot of folks are looking for last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers.”

As I opened my mouth to ask what stocking stuffers were, Cory continued, “I’ll explain more later, but just know it’s going to be crowded inside, and sometimes a crowded store can create a little tension. So if you like, you can stay in the truck while I run in.”

The thought of being out here all by myself was more than a little terrifying. “No. I don’t want to stay here.”

Cory parked his truck and turned it off. “Just stay close to me, okay?”

Shopping must be scary if he seemed worried. Was his worry about the store, or for me? I didn’t know, but I would climb on top of Cory if I needed to. Would that be close enough?

As soon as we were out of the truck, I raced to his side and I clung to his arm, afraid to let go, like a seahorseanchoring itself to kelp. Cory was my kelp, and he would keep me from drifting away. “Is this close enough?”

He gave a soft laugh and patted my head with his free arm. “It’ll do, but you would be fine if you were simply holding my hand, too.”

I loved holding his hand, but I wasn’t going to let go of him. We walked, attached, to the store, and when the doors whooshed open, the noise inside made my skin prickle. If my cirri were out, the vibrations of the place would be overwhelming. I gripped Cory’s arm tighter. He grabbed what he called a shopping cart, and I realized it would be a challenge to navigate with only one hand, so I was forced to relent one hand from his arm, so we each had one free, and we pushed the cart together.

Expletives burst out from a couple of people as one person turned a corner and crashed into another person’s cart. I watched with wide eyes, my heart racing. In a panic, I called out, “Happy holidays!”

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