James bit the end off of a piece of bacon. “I figured we’d play doctor later – and then maybe marine biologist.”
“You are so sick,” Finn grumbled.
James rolled his eyes. “It’s Sunday, and my girlfriend almost died last night. Forgive me if I’m perfectly happy staying here all day.”
Finn turned to Mandy. “What about you?”
“I was actually looking forward to playing marine biologist,” Mandy said. “I was going to surprise him by being a mermaid instead of a shark for a change.”
James’ eyes brightened.
“I even bought one of those coconut bras,” Mandy said, winking at him.
“Yeah, we’re busy,” James said.
Finn’s exasperation was obvious when he blew out a pronounced sigh. “Well, I was actually hoping the two of you would go to the mall with us.”
“You were not,” James scoffed. “You know I hate the mall.”
“Yes, but Mandy loves it.”
“I do,” Mandy said.
“You love me more, though, right?” James asked.
Mandy wrinkled her nose, leaning in for a kiss. “Yes.”
Finn found himself suddenly wishing they would start to fight. This cuteness was making him uncomfortable – which probably meant it was sending Emma toward the door. He risked a glance in her direction, but she was watching James and Mandy with an emotion that shocked him: Yearning.
Finn cleared his throat. “As loathe as I am to tear you two away from ... well … each other,” Finn said. “Emma needs some clothes, and toiletries, and, well, a little bit of everything.”
Mandy’s face sobered. “I didn’t think of that.”
“I figured, if we were all working together, we could get it done faster,” Finn said.
“Are you trying to ruin my day?” James challenged.
“What if I promise that I’ll have you back here in plenty of time to explore … Atlantis?”
James rubbed the back of his neck, shifting his gaze over to Mandy. “You want to go shopping now, don’t you?”
Mandy shrugged. “There are a pair of Converse I’ve had my eye on at Journeys.”
James sighed. “Fine. We’ll go shopping. We’re gone at six, though. Period.”
Finn smiled. “Deal.”
“CRIPES, where are they?”
James and Finn were standing on the second floor of Laketown mall, staring down at the bustling activity a floor below, and taking a breather between stores.
“They haven’t been gone that long,” Finn said. “Mandy said something about taking Emma to The Body Shop.”
“That’s the store with the sprays and lotions, right?”
“I think they have makeup and stuff, too,” Finn said.
“Yeah, Mandy loves that place.”
James’ was holding two bags in each hand, and his day had gone from good to bad in a matter of a few hours. A single pair of shoes, my ass.
Finn glanced at his older brother curiously. “How are you doing?”
“I hate shopping,” James said. “She’s got two pair of shoes here, a new hoodie, three sweaters, and whatever else she’s going to bring back from the lotion store.”
“That’s not what I was talking about.”
“I know.”
“So, how are you?”
“Better.”
“Do you want to expand on that?”
James cracked his neck, looking away from Finn’s concerned eyes. “I felt better after I got some sleep.”
“Did you dream about it?”
“No.”
“I’m surprised,” Finn said. “I would have thought that was all you could dream about.”
“I had her with me,” James said. “I had her so close she was practically inside of me. I’m okay.”
“And this morning? How ugly did that get?”
“It actually wasn’t that bad,” James said. “She was … apologetic, and she felt really bad.”
“So, you didn’t yell?”
“Oh, I yelled,” James said. “I just didn’t yell for very long. She was already kind of beaten down. I think she realized what she did. I just wish she’d think ahead occasionally, so she didn’t have to regret so many things after she did them.”
“Maybe she will now.”
“That would be nice.”
“You don’t think so, though?”
“She wouldn’t be the woman I fell in love with if she changed,” James said. “I just need her to … think occasionally. Just once. I don’t think I’m asking too much.”
“Neither do I.”
“What about Emma? How did she sleep last night?” James asked, changing the subject.