Save your money

You glance between Jane and the tiny turtle one more time before lightly shaking your head.

“No,” you say. “Absolutely not.”

Jane gasps dramatically.

“You would separate us like this?”

“You met him thirty seconds ago.”

“And yet our bond is powerful.”

You laugh quietly while she looks down at the turtle again with exaggerated sadness.

“He’s just a little guy,” Jane says softly.

“He looks deeply confused.”

“He’s trying his best.”

Still smiling faintly, she carefully places the plush back into the basket where it immediately tips sideways against a pile of keychains.

For a second, she stares at it with mock disappointment.

Then she sighs dramatically.

“Goodbye, tiny son.”

“You are so weird.”

“And you love me anyway.”

“That part’s true.”

She grins before slipping her hand back into yours while the two of you continue wandering farther through the store together.

The moment passes easily enough.

No tension.

No hurt feelings.

Just another tiny playful interaction between the two of you.

Still, a few minutes later, you catch her glancing back toward the checkout baskets one last time on the way out.

Not sad exactly.

Just lingering slightly.

The warm sunlight hits both of you again the second you step back outside onto the boardwalk. Music drifts through the street nearby while ocean air moves softly through Jane’s hair.

She stretches her arms briefly before tugging the sleeves of your hoodie farther over her hands again.

“I can’t believe you denied me emotional support turtle,” she says while bumping lightly into your side.

“You would’ve forgotten about him in two days.”

“That is incredibly false.”

“You literally forgot your water bottle at the diner earlier.”

“That’s different.”

“How?”

She thinks for a second.

Then shrugs.

“It just is.”

You laugh quietly while the two of you continue farther down the boardwalk together.

After another few steps, she slips her hand more fully into yours again, absentmindedly swinging your joined hands once between you while people wander around the street nearby.

The mood stays light.

Comfortable.

Easy.

But every now and then, she still glances toward random plushies sitting in shop windows as you pass.

You chose not to buy the plush turtle for Jane.

Relationship Status: +0%

Boyfriend Points Gained: +0

Jane was mostly joking. ...Mostly.