Page 111 of Top Shelf
“I plan on saying it for a long, long time, you know? We’re talking old-and-gray kind of long time.”
“But you already are old and gray.”
I growl. “Woman.”
She cackles loudly, and I laugh too. This is what I was waiting for right here—her. Her kind heart, her smarts, her sense of humor, her talent, her bratty moments. Just…her.
And I have her. Forever and more.
CHAPTER 24
VANESSA
“No.”
“But—”
“They don’t play well together.”
“I—”
“That lionfish will destroy them. Do you want to be responsible for the death of my sweet little clown fish? You already thought you killed them once and could barely live with yourself.” He raises his brows pointedly.
I huff, frustrated I can’t have the beautiful creature, but also…I get it. I love Pearl and Rufus, and I can’t imagine anything happening to them.
“All right,” I relent. “I’ll keep looking.”
“That’s my girl,” Gavin says, patting my ass as we meander through the fish store.
Not a day has gone by since we finally gave in to this thing that he has not taken care of me. Take last night, for example: I was holed up in my studio, so completely lost in the painting I’m making for Gavin’s parents—who I met via FaceTime last week—for Christmas, that I forgot to eat lunchanddinner. But Gavinknew that somehow, and he came home after his game with a bag of cheap burgers and a chocolate shake.
That caring quality of his is exactly why we’re at a fish store just five minutes before they close as I try to pick out a fish for myself. I mentioned it earlier in passing, and he insisted we get me one for Christmas. I told him he was ridiculous, then somehow found myself being put in the car and driven here. We argued in the parking lot for ten minutes, then made out for five, which is why we’re cutting it so close.
I grin over at the associate behind the counter, who is shooting daggers our way.
“Okay, we need to hurry this up or that guy is going to charge us double,” I whisper to Gavin.
“Pretty sure he’s not allowed to do that.”
“He could! You don’t know that.”
Gavin gives me a look, then shakes his head at me, his lips twitching.
“What about that one?” He points to another fish.
“Ew. No.”
“Ew? What? Puffers are so cool!”
“Nope.”
“Fine.” He gestures toward another tank. “This one?”
“Hmm, no. He looks mean. And kind of ugly.”
“Ugly? Foxfaces are awesome. Are you really just picking fish based on their cuteness?”
“Um, yes? That’s the whole point, right?”
