Page 3 of Her Pretty Things

I crouch in front of him. One of his bootlaces has come loose, so I tie it before he can trip over it. His hair has gotten caught beneath the strap of his bag. I pull it free, letting the long strands slide through my fingers.

It’s softer than I thought it would be.

Jamie leans into my hand when I tuck it behind his ear. “I think I need to go home.”

I smooth his hair back once more. “I’m taking you.”

Jamie nods like that settles everything.

I help him into his coat. When he stands this time, I keep hold of his arm.

“I can walk,” he says.

They’re all a little stubborn at first. Even the sweet ones. He makes it three steps before his boot catches the edge of a display.

I catch him around the waist.

“Sorry.” He leans against me for a second, then tries to straighten. “Shit. Sorry.”

“For what?”

He looks down at my arm around him like that explains it.

“You don’t have to be sorry for needing me.”

His eyes lift to mine. For a second, he just looks at me. Then he smiles. Smaller than the ones he gave the woman earlier, sleepy and crooked.

This one is mine.

I keep my arm around him while we finish closing. Jamie fumbles his keys twice before letting me take them. I lock the door and tuck them into his coat pocket.

The cold hits us as soon as we step outside.

Jamie shivers and presses closer. His hair blows across my cheek.

Vanilla.

I’ve wondered what he smells like for weeks. Vanilla is better than anything I imagined. “My car’s right here.”

He lets me guide him across the parking lot. Halfway there, he stumbles again and catches my hand. This time he doesn’t apologize.

At the passenger door, he looks at me through heavy eyes. “You’re taking me home, right?”

“Yes.”

My first doll fought me all the way home.

Jamie lets me hold his hand.

CHAPTER 2

Heather

Jamie looks good in his bed.

I knew he would. Midnight blue sheets against his pale complexion weren’t an accident. Cool skin tones are a gift to work with.

He’s lying on top of the blankets where I left him while I brought in his things. His hair is spread across the pillow and half his face, one arm tucked awkwardly beneath him.