How many times had I begged God to come rescue me from what Alan was doing?
“Sometimes, life gives us experiences that teach us to help others. We are put into certain scenarios to learn not only how to cope, but to have a story to share with someone we’re meant to help.”
“That makes no sense.”
“Someday it will.”
I gave Sawyer a tight smile, not agreeing with her at all.
Sawyer talked the entire way about nothing important. Most of it went in one ear and out the other, and she had to know I wasn’t paying attention to her. If she were anyone else, she’d have gotten bored of me not being there mentally, but she wasn’t. Sawyer understood me better than I did myself.
Maybe she was right. Or maybe she was just optimistic of life in general. Whatever it was, I was glad she entered my life. I wouldn’t change that.
As we walked, I couldn’t help but let my eyes drift to all the babies in strollers. Okay, it was maybe three, and I wasn’t ashamed of counting. My heart hurt, knowing I’d never be able to be in that position.
“This store has your style of clothes,” Sawyer said, drawing my eyes off the current stroller that was stopped at the crosswalk. “Come on.”
I followed her in through the open door. There were racks of everything, workout clothing wise. Pants, shorts, shirts, bras. Everything anyone could possibly need.
“You think you know my style?”
“You’re simple,” she shrugged. “You don’t like to show off skin. No bright colors, but this place does have those if you wanted them. But I’m guessing you like dark colors.”
“I’m not picky.”
“Simple, see?”
I didn’t know what I liked, but I was, in fact, simple. I didn’t want pricey or eye-grabbing.
I followed Sawyer around the store, and she seemed to be in her element here shopping. She pulled a few different things off the rack and practically shoved them into my arms. There were only a few things I made a face at, and she put those back where they were.
By the time we left the store, I nearly had a full week’s worth of clothes. I was more impressed that I didn’t panic. I wasn’t sure if it was because Sawyer was with me, or because I’d already got past that issue with Dominic.
Whatever it was, I’d take it.
“Let’s go to the store next door. They have this cute dress I’ve been saving up for,” Sawyer suggested once we were finished checking out. “Then we should call Miles and have him meet up with us for lunch.”
“Where does he live?”
“Not too far. He could probably meet us at our place so we don’t have to drag our bags all over, if that’s okay with you.”
“Sure.”
The next store was filled with bright colors from wall to wall. Everything here screamed Sawyer’s style. I followed her around, eyeing a few of the skirts that grabbed my attention. Could I pull off wearing one of them? This one was long, touching the floor. The top was dark purple and faded into a lighter purple towards the bottom. It’d go easily with a tank top I had in my closet.
“Ooh! That one’s cute,” Sawyer said, leaning into me. “You should get it.”
“I…I don’t know.”
“Do you even own a skirt?”
“No,” I sighed. “Hence why I don’t know if I’d wear it.”
“Then get it. Maybe you’ll meet a boy and want to impress him.”
“I don’t need to impress anyone,” I blushed, instantly thinking of Dominic.
“Oooh! There is a boy, isn’t there?”
“He doesn’t see me like that,” I said. A moment later, I decided I’d get the skirt anyhow.
“Here, this would go well with it,” Sawyer said, handing me a light pink tank top.
I had to agree.
“So, who’s this boy?”
“No one.”
“Is it the one you talk to the most? Collin?”
“No.” I scrunch my nose up. “He’s like an uncle. That would just be gross.”
“Hmmm.”
“There’s no one.”
“But you want there to be,” she sang.
I shook my head, a small smile on my face. I knew she wouldn’t drop it unless I did first. Yes, I had feelings for Dominic, and I missed him more than anything, but there wouldn’t be more than what we had. It hurt, knowing we couldn’t have anything between us, but it was the right thing to do.
Miles was waiting in front of my apartment door with his feet crossed and leaning against the wall when we returned with our bags. I ended up getting two skirts, a couple shirts, and a few pairs of shorts. And, don’t forget a pair of black flip-flops.
“Morning!” Sawyer said, giving Miles a tight hug.
He nodded back at her when she let go and gave me a small smile.
“Not a good talking day?”
He shook his head before dropping his eyes to the floor.
“I think she can talk enough for the both of us today.” I smiled at him as I unlocked my door. “You can come in.”
“Be back in a jiffy!”
Miles followed me, his shoulders hunched forward, but he relaxed slightly when he saw Hope run out to greet me.
“Hey, Hope.” I sat my bags down on the couch and picked her up as she meowed. One thing about this cat was that she was persistent when she wanted attention. She wouldn’t stop making noises until I petted her, no matter what. Lately, she even took to jumping up on her back paws to get my attention.
“Do you want to pet her?” I asked Miles, catching him looking at her.
He shrugged in answer.
“A friend got her for me for my birthday,” I said, handing her over. “She’s the one thing I never knew I needed. Hence the name Hope.”
Miles gave me bigger smile as the kitten snuggled into his arms, purring away. I wanted to think that my cat knew who needed a little love.
Turning away with a smile, I went and made sure Hope had enough water and food in her dish. By the time I was done, she came running to me with a small meow.
“Ready?”
“Y-y-yeah,” Miles said.
“Perfect timing,” Sawyer said, meeting us in the doorway. She pushed her phone into her pocket. “What’s the mood for lunch?”
Miles pulled out his phone and texted something on it before showing it to the both of us.
Hamburgers?
“Sure. Don’t forget the milkshakes!”
She likes milkshakes. Strawberry.
I laughed, not surprised by that.
“What?” Sawyer asked.
“You’re such a kid at heart, aren’t you?”
I got a bright smile from her before she skipped ahead a few steps.
It didn’t take long to walk to the diner at the end of the street. Since it was so far away from most of the popular shops, it wasn’t very busy and we got a table in the far back, away from the windows.
“Want your usual?” Sawyer asked Miles. He nodded in reply with a sad smile.
“Got it.” She then turned to me. “We come here often, so they know there are days he has trouble talking. We’re like family here, I guess.”
Miles cleared his throat with a raised brow.