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Spencer swung your linked hands as the two of you walked through the mall. The two of you wandered through different stores. There were many books Spencer looked at in one store, the next you were looking at the different patterned socks, until ultimately you found yourselves in a fragrance store. You made a beeline for the candles, pulling Spencer along in your rush while he chuckled at your excited pace.
“Spence! They put out the holiday ones!” You gushed while spinning around to look up at him. “We need them!”
Spencer reached out and took the bag you were carrying, smiling down at you. “We can get some. Our candles are almost burned all the way down anyways.”
“Yay!” You hugged him.
Turning to face the display once more, you began grabbing candles and removing the lids. You smelled each one, trying to decide which ones you liked the best. The ones you really liked were held up to Spencer's face for his opinion.
“Oohh,” you took another whiff of the candle. “This one’s nice. What do you think?”
With the candle in front of him, Spencer gave it a tentative sniff. “That’s probably the best one so far. What is it?”
“The label says it’s mahogany, green apple, and peppercorn,” you read off the scent notes.
“We should get that one for sure. Do we want the big one or the small?”
“Definitely the bigger one,” you took another smell of the candle, placing it into the basket resting on your arm. “How many candles do we need?”
“We have three that we need to get rid of, so at least that many.”
You nodded, going back to smelling candles. You wanted to find the right smells, scrunching your nose when they were too strong. A few made you cough, and Spencer frowned slightly each time. You’d smell a candle, cough or scrunch your nose, then offer it to Spencer to smell. It would take him only a moment to realize why you didn’t like those candles.
“What is that?” Spencer coughed, leaning away from the red candle.
“It’s bad right?” You agreed. “It says it’s clove, brown sugar, and pumpkin.”
“It’s so strong,” he coughed again.
You pulled the candle away from him and quickly put the lid on. “It’s too spicy, right? All you get is clove.”
“It’s like there was a baking disaster,” Spencer laughed. “Who thought it needed that much spice?”
You moved on quickly, trying to mask the smell of the offending candle. “This one is much better,” you held it up to him. “Very subtle.”
Spencer looked hesitant while leaning toward the open candle. A small sniff was followed by a bigger one as he smiled, “It smells like when we made cookies last year.”
You took another sniff, smiling at how accurate Spencer’s description was. “It’s fresh baked cookies, sugar, and vanilla.” You put the lid on the candle and set it beside the other one in your basket.
Spencer grabbed one from the shelf to test. “I like this one,” he held it out to you.
“It makes me think of a library,” you admit with a smile.
Spencer nods and you instantly understand why he likes it. “It has a good smell. Mahogany, teakwood, oak, and lavender. Very relaxing,” he set it into the basket.
You held out the one in your hands, wanting Spencer’s opinion. “I think I like this one?”
“What do you mean you think you like it?” His brows furrowed at how you explained the confused look on your face.
“I mean that, I think it’s good? I like it, but don’t know if I like it,” you tried to explain.
Spencer took a sniff of the candle, then looked at the label. “It says it’s sage, sandalwood, and tonka bean.” He observed.
“What’s that?”
“Tonka beans are similar to vanilla in a way. They’re often used as a vanilla substitute because of how similar they are in taste, the main difference being it’s got more spicy notes. Think of vanilla and star anise.” Spencer explained while smelling the candle once more.
“Oh,” you thought for a moment. You couldn’t tell what was slightly off about the candle to you, and now you understood. You’d thought it was vanilla, but now you knew better. “Let’s get it,” you suggested.
Spencer laughed at your sudden change in tone. You went from being uncertain to deciding that you wanted it. He placed the fourth candle in the basket and led you to the check out. The two of you bought the candles and continued your walk through the mall.