for someone else. In fact, it meant more to me because Callum was letting me into his found family.
“Do you have any idea what you’re going to get her?” I asked Callum as we entered the mall.
“Um, a doll maybe? She’s always into dolls.”
“Ooh, sounds good.”
He squeezed my hand. “Does it? Because I think you’re thinking that’s so typical.”
“So now Daddy is a mind reader?” I teased, tugging him into the first toy store I saw.
“Well, you usually have a one-track mind.”
I made a show of gasping. “And in a children’s store too?”
“Don’t be a brat.”
I grinned at him, striding over to a section where I spotted stuffed unicorns. “You love me being a brat.”
His lips ghosted my neck. “Yes, I do. Now stop trying to turn me on. We have a mission to accomplish, and I’m not looking to break the bank on this.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got it.”
I snagged a big purple-and-pink unicorn and passed it to him.
“Uh, I don’t think she likes stuffed toys, Ash. She’s more of a doll person.”
“Thank heavens, because it’s for me.”
He groaned behind me. “Oh lord, why didn’t I come alone?”
“Because it’s definitely better when we come together.” I gave him a wink over my shoulder to reinforce my pun.
“When we get home,” he promised. “We have a little girl to make happy.”
I helped Callum to pick out a pretty nightlight. He explained hers recently broke and she was afraid of sleeping in the dark. The light cast the constellation on the ceiling.
“You don’t have to get her anything,” Callum told me when I announced that it was now my turn to buy something for her.
“I know, but I want to. I just have one condition.”
He frowned at me suspiciously. “Which is?”
“I don’t want you to see what I’m getting her.”
He’d probably have a heart attack if he saw the price on the gift that had caught my eye. It was extravagant, but from the way he described his goddaughter, it would be perfect for her. I knew that Phil wasn’t exactly swimming in money with three children, and I wanted it to be memorable for them.
“But you saw what I got her.”
“Because you couldn’t choose on your own.” I gave him my best puppy eyes. “Please, there’s a bookstore one floor up. Can you get me the two AA books the group recommends? I’m going to need them for my next meeting.”
He shook his head. “That’s clever. Sending me off on an errand you know I can’t say no to. You should remember that the next time you can’t think of something positive to say about yourself.”
I tried to give him money to buy the books for me, but he scowled at me. “I can buy you the books you need.”
“I don’t want you to spend unnecessarily on me.”
“Ashton, let it go.”
So I let it go and watched him walk away in his worn jeans. Would he be mad at me if I got him some new pairs? Ugh, maybe I should talk to him first about it, but then he’d turn down my offer.
But if I bought them, what was the worst that could happen? He could not wear them, and we would be in the same position as we were now. Worn jeans that still made his ass and thighs look sexy.
Since I knew exactly what I wanted for his goddaughter, I found it quickly. While they were wrapping the present, I wandered two stores down to the men’s store.
I loved the mall. Our family had an independent store where we normally shopped because they didn’t wish to mingle with the masses, but I much preferred the various shops here.
I was well acquainted with the store and knew where to find what I needed. In record time, I walked out with three shopping bags. It was still not fast enough. Callum was already back inside the kids store, waiting for me.
“Where did you disappear to?”
I glanced at the cashier, who watched us with interest. Now wasn’t the time to experience Callum’s pride over me buying him a few things. Okay, maybe not a few, but I’d controlled myself. I didn’t get him that watch that had been blinking at me when I passed the jewelry shop.
Well, maybe I did that too, but I didn’t have to give it to him all at once.
“I ran into the men’s store,” I said truthfully.
He quirked an eyebrow at me. “Don’t tell me I need to take your credit cards away too. You don’t