“Thrifting.”
“You…want to go thrifting?”
She nods. “Yes. I haven’t been in ages, and remember how we used to go in college all the time, and we loved it?”
Of course I remember. We spent hours in various shops picking through all they had to offer. We would find the weirdest shit and laugh so hard we’d earn dirty looks from the sales associates. It was simple but fun. I remember we used to have a lot of that before things got complicated.
“I want to do it again. Can we?”
If she looked like she does now, I’d say yes to anything she wanted. It wouldn’t matter if she asked me to go rob a bank; I’d run to the nearest store for a ski mask and drive the damn getaway car. Whatever she wants, I’ll give it to her.
“I think thrifting sounds perfect. I mean, we can definitely afford new stuff, but why the hell not? Maybe we can find another set of Hercules plates.”
“Yay!” She claps her hands together excitedly. “Percy, we’re going thrifting!”
Meow.
“Percy, you’re staying home!”
Meow.
“Boo,” Chloe pouts, and I laugh.
“Sorry, Clover. He’s an indoor cat. He’s only got three legs, remember? He’s not equipped for the outside world.”
“All right. Fine. Maybe we can find a treat or two to bring back for him?”
I try not to let myself get excited that it sounds like she’s planning on coming back here and agree to grab treats for the cat. We finish getting ready, grab our jackets to shield us from the late-January wind, and head out for our adventure.
Our first stop is coffee and food, and I have to grip the table’s edge to keep from hauling her across it and fucking herin front of the entire coffee shop as she moans through eating her breakfast. I fear that might always be the case with her, me just barely able to control myself. If these years apart proved anything, it’s that she means just as much to me now as she did when I first met her, and that’ll never change. She can go wherever she wants in this world and run from whatever she needs to, but I’m going to love her the whole damn time.
“Hey, how’d your interview go?” I inquire when we walk out of the shop, our nearly empty coffees in hand. “I forgot to ask last night.”
“Well, we were a bit preoccupied, no?” She smirks, then her crooked grin falls quickly. “Uh, the interview went well.Reallywell, actually.”
Pride balloons in my chest because I expected nothing less from her.
And maybe a little excitement too, because it would mean she’d be staying here even longer, and I really want that, even if the reason isn’t for me.
“That’s amazing, Chloe, really. But how come you’re not smiling?”
She lifts her shoulders. “I don’t know. I just try not to let myself get too excited, in case it doesn’t pan out, you know? I’ve learned over the years that it’s best to go in with low expectations, then be wowed later if something good happens.”
I can’t say I blame her. I’ve adopted that same mindset, even if it is likely unhealthy.
“How’s Talia doing?” I change the subject, since it’s clear she doesn’t want to talk about it.
“Oh, you know Tally. The same but different. Still amazing though.”
“Bangs or no bangs?”
She smiles. “Bangs. I think. She’s always flip-flopping.”
“And Ian? How’s he doing?”
“He’s great. He misses his uncle, you know.”
A pang of guilt moves through me. When Chloe left, I didn’t feel like I had a right to talk to Talia or Ian anymore, even though I’d been part of their lives for so damn long. I realize now that probably wasn’t the best move.
