is's

ed itself on our sec

r shops. Before long, we were lugging around more bags t

isplays, the next the little cafés along the street. Every now and then, she

nd for once, I didn

ne pavement. The air smelled of warm croissants and strong coffee. Nearby, an older wom

tdoor café and ordered two latt

s and scooped up some cream. After her first

r and crossed one leg over the other. The sunlight caught the small silver stud in her ear. "For

street. Hydrangeas filled the display outside, blue and violet b

ng. "You want some? We c

d to stop spending money. I'm alread

for my parents yet. My mom asked me to bring home that hand cream from one of the boutiques here, and

and looked at me with a wa

. And somehow, that idiot still d

edge of the plate. "Maybe I am a good daughter," I sai

ed immediately. "Why are yo

ll smile. "I'm actually doing better. My parents have never managed

d traced my fingers along

have that much

ed back and laughed. The look on her face told me she

"There are so many guys out there who'd treat you be

ead before lightly tappi

Khloe Clark, one of her local friends wh

in black and white, capturing quiet scenes from around Slawood. Some showed empty street corners a

d was enormous, yet loneliness seemed to exist in every corner of it. Knowing I w

f the exhibit, the daylight

as meeting some friends at a bar and

I wasn't sur

my arm a gentle tug. "It's been foreve

Bars aren't really my thing. My feet are alread

e me. "Okay," said Samantha. "Go back to the hotel and get some

her off. "I know how to take care of myself. I'll pick up

that stood out clearly beneath the darkening sky. Once I walked inside, a rush of cool

ries, I crouched to check the bottom shelf for some chocolate. I rose too fa

oss the aisle when their sho

bbed my sore forehead and quickly

llen items beside mine. Long, slender fingers