Page 88 of The Wayward Son

“Well, that’s kind of sad. Is this goodbye then?”

“We might pop in tomorrow. Depends on how the day goes.”

She came around the counter and hugged him. “In case you don’t. Good luck to you.”

“Thank you.” He stepped away from her. “I should go supervise the snack queen.”

She laughed and gave him a nod, and he walked over to Jade, who was in the chip aisle.

She grinned at him. “Good thing Denise’s biker boyfriend didn’t see that.”

“I’m pretty sure I could take him, too.”

“You are undefeated, after all.” She looked at him for a moment. “You are leaving undefeated. That’s something to be proud of.”

“I suppose.”

“It is.” She turned back to the snacks. “Now. What are you going to get?”

He perused the chips, then shook his head. “Snowballs.”

“Those pink coconut marshmallow cake thingies?”

“Yeah.”

“How is that any different from the bear claws you can’t seem to get enough of back home?”

He picked up a package of snowballs. “Xander’s fresh baked, no preservatives, quality ingredients are a world apart from these.”

“I guess they are.” She put a hand on his arm. “You don’t have to get them. I release you from eating junk food.”

He studied the package for a moment. “No. It’s okay. They won’t kill me.” They went to the beer cooler and got a twelve pack of beer, then headed for the counter.

Denise smiled and set two bottles of alcohol on the counter. “Scotch or tequila?”

“Um…tequila.”

She pushed the bottle toward him. “Happy moving day.”

“Denise, you don’t need to—”

“I’m going to miss you. I’m going to have a plethora of quarters in my drawer now.”

He smiled. “Thank you.” As he was paying for their items, Jade grabbed two bags of Skittles and set them on the counter.

“For old time’s sake.”

Sawyer laughed as he put his wallet into his pocket. He said goodbye to Denise again, without a hug, then they left the storeand returned to the apartment building. When they went inside, Jade looked at him.

“Let’s take the elevator.”

“Why? It’s one floor.”

“Because you’re moving out.”

He shook his head. “That’s a stupid reason.”

She pushed the button. “Chicken?”

---