Page 31 of Unholy Cross

Chapter Thirteen

Cross pushed a cartas they walked through the department store, looking at clothes for her.It had been a long time since she had gone shopping, so fashion wasn’t on her radar at all.She was fine with jeans or sweats, but Cross seemed to have other ideas.In addition to the casual wear, he chose dresses, skirts, blouses, and cute t-shirts.Next were panties and socks, followed by shoes.Lorelei hated that he spent money on her, but every time she tried to put something back, he scowled at her and put it back into the cart.It made her feel better when he also grabbed some new clothes for himself.

Once they were done shopping, he led her back to the SUV Jeremiah gave them, and all the bags went into the trunk.Then he led her down the street into a pizza place for lunch.When she sat down in a booth, he scooted in next to her.

“I used to come here all the time,” he said, unfolding the menu resting behind the condiments on the table.He laid it down before her.“Great food, and they used to let me drink beer when I was underage.”

“Oh my God!”a woman practically shouted, making everyone turn as she barreled toward them.“Aera Cross!Where the hell have you been?”

“Everywhere except Vegas.”

The woman cackled.Silver-streaked hair was piled on her head in a bouffant.Glasses perched on her nose, with a chain on each arm of it.Athletic socks were pulled up to her knees where her dress uniform ended, and sneakers were on her feet.“And who is the lovely lady by your side?”

“This is Lorelei,” Cross said.“And this loudmouth is Doreen.”

Doreen winked at her.“You’re just about the prettiest girl to ever step foot in this joint.”

Lorelei smiled and waved.

“We’ll have my usual, if you can remember that.”

Cross smirked, so Doreen smacked him on the back of his head.“Don’t get smart, or I’ll have to tell Lorelei all about your eighteenth birthday.”

“Fuck,” Cross muttered.“You know how to hit a man right where it counts, you know that?”

Doreen winked at her.“One pepperoni with mushrooms coming right up.”

She sashayed her way to turn in their order, so Lorelei cocked her head and stared expectantly at him.Cross cursed under his breath.

“Fucking Doreen,” he said with a fond but exasperated sigh.“On my eighteenth birthday I was higher than a fucking kite, and someone slipped a laxative into my beer.I ended up practically shitting my intestines out in the bathroom while trying not to puke from the weed I smoked.”

Mirth filled Lorelei and she grinned.

Doreen came back with a beer for both of them, but Cross shook his head.

“No beer for her,” he said, handing the bottle back.“Lorelei will have soda.”

Doreen put a hand on her hip.“Can’t the lady speak for herself?”

“No, because she can’t speak.”

Her face softened and gave Lorelei a gentle smile.“I’ll bring your soda with the pizza.”

Doreen took the bottle and left, heading back into the kitchen.Lorelei had no problem with Cross taking over.It had been so long since she’d been out in the world that most things confused her.She hadn’t even known the world went through a pandemic until the doctor had told her last night.

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