“We already bought blankets,” he says flatly.
I glance over my shoulder. “You bought blankets.” His jaw tightens.
The woman pretends not to notice the tension, calmly packing the clothes into tissue paper. “Sometimes it’s nicer picking things yourself,” she says lightly.
I could kiss her. “That’s exactly it,” I murmur.
Once everything’s wrapped, she gives me the total, and I pull my purse from my bag.
Ray immediately reaches for his wallet. “I’ve got it,” he says.
“No,” I reply, already taking out my card.
His brows pull together. “Wynter—”
“I said no.”
A flicker of annoyance crosses his face, but I tap the machine with my card before he can argue further. The transaction goes through quickly.
As she passes me the bags, the woman slips a business card inside one of them. “I’ve got an online shop too,” she says warmly. “If you need help with anything else, just send me a message. I’m always happy to help first-time mums.”
Something about the way she says it makes my chest ache a little less. I like that she doesn’t push or over-sell.
I smile properly this time. “Thank you. I’ll definitely be in touch.”
“Good luck, sweetheart,” she says gently.
I nod, clutching the small bags to my chest before finally turning back to Ray. He’s watching me carefully now but looking less angry, and more . . .confused.
I shift the bags higher on my arm, meeting Ray’s stare head-on.
“We need to talk.”
His jaw flexes slightly, like he’s preparing for a fight. “Yeah,” he says quietly. “We do.”
For a second, neither of us moves. The noise of the market carries on around us with people talking, and traffic crawling past, but it all feels distant compared to the tension stretched tight between us.
Then my phone rings. I glance down at the screen to see Aunt Lucy’s name flashing.
A small knot forms in my stomach. “Hi,” I say as I press the mobile to my ear.
“Well, you sound thrilled to hear from me,” Aunt Lucy replies dryly.
Despite everything, a small smile tugs at my mouth. “Is everything okay?”
“I know I’m not due until tomorrow.” There’s a pause. “But I thought I’d come check my favourite girl hadn’t murdered anyone yet.”
My eyes flick briefly to Ray.
“Tempting,” I mutter.
“Hmm. So, I was right to worry.” I hear movement on her end of the call before she continues, “Anyway, where are you? I’m currently standing in the casino lobby being stared at by several large men who look like they bury bodies for a hobby.”
I close my eyes briefly, if only she knew how close she was to that truth. “You’re here?” I ask. “Right now?”
“Yes, Wynter, hence why I said I’m a day early.”
I huff out a breath somewhere between a laugh and a groan. “I’ll head back now, give me ten.”