Page 113 of Saved By My Buyers

Blowing out a breath, I think about it. “I think Nancy could have been me,” I whisper. “My girlfriend disappeared because my father was abusing her, and I felt all this guilt, horror, and grief that she was gone. Sure, we were both young, but we had this connection that I don’t think I’ll ever have again.”

The closest I’ve come is Jack. Dahlia knows every single thing about me, even the stuff that scares me. Jack sees the echoes of that, and refuses to flinch away from it.

“If Jack didn’t see my pain because he felt some of it too, I don’t know if I would be sitting here today,” I admit. “He had me agree to go to therapy, helped me through the days I didn’t want to get out of bed. I think the parallels of it really fucking scare me.”

“That’s what I think too,” Dr. Holly says. She only knows me as Bowen, because Jack worked with his team at lightning speed to hide me. “It hit closer to home than simply being someone bearing witness to a suicide. That alone is enough to make anyone struggle.”

Nodding, I talk about that with her before the session ends. I used to come once a week when I was in high school. As things got better, I’ve been able to scale down to a monthly maintenance appointment instead.

Life is hard, working on my mental health is a long term goal. That’s why I asked for an emergency appointment, when I texted her about what happened.

Walking out of the building afterwards, I feel lighter, and at odds with what I want to do with the rest of my day. I need to eat, and go shopping for Dahlia’s birthday present. I know Jack has some plans, but I want to get her some things too.

I’m pretty much within walking distance of everything right now, so I head toward a taco shop for food.

They’re always so nice here, with fast service, and really great lunch specials. Sitting at the bar area in my cute dark-green romper with flower print and sandals, I ignore everyone around me as I eat my food.

I don’t find eating alone an issue, but I do not enjoy the attention it brings. Men think that it’s an open invitation for a conversation, while my dance card is full.

I’m very satisfied at home.

Finishing up my meal, I pay and tip, sighing happily now that the likelihood that I’d stab someone for food has passed.

I haven’t really touched the money from my job, since I don’t have many expenses to pay. Jack has my cell phone and car insurance on autopay through a separate account, and he paid for my vehicle in cash.

That means, I can spend some of it on Dahlia.

Bubbling over with excitement, I head to one of my favorite jewelry stores. I noticed she didn’t have any of her own, because it’s been stolen over the years, and I want to buy her some.

Why is it my favorite? I like to come in here periodically and window shop. I don’t really splurge unless it’s on other people. My location is always on in the settings of my phone for Jack’s peace of mind.

It wasn’t during the school year, and I would have to be blind not to have felt his anxiety. If it makes him happy, I don’t have a dog in that fight. He can have it.

Dahlia also has a phone now that Jack bought her, but half the time she forgets it at home. It’s no longer a habit to have it with her, though she’s usually with one of us or at the music school.

I love how excited she is to go to work and classes. Sullivan is a hard ass, but has no issues with her quality of work.

Maybe I’ll surprise her at work.

“Hello, Miss. Are you drooling today, or can I help you?” Mr. Stonewell asks, making me laugh.

“I’m shopping for my girlfriend,” I explain with a nod. There’s a pair of violet tiered earrings I see that she’ll love. They’re on a gradient, and start clear, then light pink, fuschia, and finally shades of violet. They are probably about two and a half inches long and stunning.

“May I see the tiered violet earrings please?”

The price tag is a bit steep, but now that I’ve seen them, I can’t leave them.

“Oh, you have very good taste,” he murmurs, lifting the earrings from the case.

Biting my bottom lip, I decide I can’t afford all the jewelry I want to buy. Damn my expensive taste. As I lament, my phone buzzes in my purse.

“I’ll take them,” I tell him, watching the way the light reflects on the facets of the earrings. “They’re stunning.”

Pulling out my phone, I almost giggle as I see Jack is calling me.

“Hey Jack,” I say, pulling out my card to pay as Mr. Stonewell asks if I want anything else.

“You’re at Stonewell Jewelers, aren’t you?” he asks. I swear, I’m not even surprised anymore.

---