Page 133 of Just Wait

We make it to the aisle, and I start looking around for underwear I can toss if they get destroyed.

Riser disappears for a bit, but it feels more like he wants to give me some privacy and less like he’s hating every minute of being in the store with me.

I finally just grab something, turning around to search for Riser, but he comes my way with the cart filled with clothes hanging on the baby seat part of the basket.

Those were not there the last time I saw him.

“Did you go shopping?” I ask, crossing the distance and tossing my purchase into the buggy.

“Maybe. Well, if you like it, yeah, I did a little shopping.” Some days his hair is more wavy, but today he’s sporting curls. He shoves his dark hair back from his face and smirks. “If you hate what I picked, I have no idea how it ended up in the cart.”

He leans over, plucking a few of the hangers off the rail and holding them up.

The one on top is a spaghetti strap dress in a pinkish-mauve color. It looks like it has a built-in bra, and it’s really cute.

Huh.

It’s kinda like a tennis dress.

“I looked at this in a romper, but I figured that would be inconvenient every time you needed the restroom.” He shrugs. “Still, I loved how soft it was. I eventually found the dress version. You could pair it with a cardigan and leggings once it gets colder or just wear it around the bus.” He hangs that one back up and moves through the small pile of clothes. “There are two skorts, some long sleeve T-shirts, a few sweaters because it will get cold soon. Then I found this set. It’s a hoodie, skirt, and sweats. All you have to do is add a T-shirt, and you’ll be set. I mean, it’s not name brand or anything, but it’ll be comfortable.”

As he clips it onto the cart, I circle around to him. His dark olive complexion hides some of it, but his cheeks are red.

I have no idea why he would be embarrassed about being thoughtful. Maybe he’s afraid I won’t want the clothes because they’re not designer? Or maybe he’s concerned they don’t match up to what Kincaid bought at the boutiques?

I wrap my arms around him and bury my face in his chest. “You’re amazing. You picked things I would pick for myself, and you managed to find the softest pieces of clothing in the entire store.” I smile and stretch up, kissing his jaw. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he says, grinning. “And don’t worry about money. All of this is my treat.”

Jesus.

I like him so much.

Multiple people stare, following us with their eyes until we disappear from sight. At first, I think they recognize Riser, but after four or five people all watch us shamelessly, I start to worry that maybe I’ve bled through my clothes. I wiggle around, trying to test if I’m leaking, though that feeling is hard to miss.

It takes a while to find the feminine care aisle, and once we do, I turn to Riser.

“Am I bleeding through my clothes?” I whisper. “Do I have something on my face? What the hell is up with the people around here?”

“I don’t think they’re looking at you,” he admits, shrugging. “This is a pretty affluent area. I don’t look like any of the other shoppers.”

“Oh,” I say, frowning. “Fuck them.”

He chuckles. “Exactly.”

I get to work picking out everything I’ll need to be comfortable. This time, Riser leaves me with the cart as he meanders away, but I don’t mind. It’s convenient to be able to toss everything in, rather than needing to carry it around.

Back home, I was a big fan of a reusable period cup and, more recently, menstrual discs. This store has a brand that’s disposable, and it says it can even be worn during sex. I’m not sure I’m that brave, but I grab a box, mostly because they’re convenient to wear overnight.

Meandering down the aisle, I check around for pain relievers, but apparently, they’re not on this one. I somehow end up in front of the condoms and lube, so I stop to examine the options.

Although sex isn’t on my wavelength at the moment, they do have condoms specifically made for alphas.

Knotting is a no-go with condoms in general because there’s too much friction, making them unreliable. From what I remember back when Theo and I were using them, they’re basically just like the ones for betas, but significantly bigger.

My face heats.

I grab two different kinds of lube, tossing them into the basket. My philosophy on that is, it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.