Page 43 of Every Single Vow
I let her pilfer, while I grab a few basics like number two pencils, erasers, some glue, a small pair of scissors, and some spiral notebooks. Out of the corner of my eye, I see her trace the edge of a book before she walks back over to me.
“Grab it,” I say before placing a pencil box in the basket.
A blue one. Not pink.
“It’s ok.” She waves a hand. “It’s pricey.”
I roll my eyes, then march over to the shelf and grab two.
Her jaw hangs open when I motion to the wall of pencils and rulers. “What do you like to sketch with?”
“I…”
I move closer, my hand landing on her shoulder. “Ari, if there’s one thing I understand about being your age, it’s having an outlet. The one that lets you get your emotions and feelings out in your own way. If this.” I hold up the two sketch pads. “Is it, then I will make sure you always have one on hand.”
Her eyes hold mine for a moment before she moves them to the wall of pencils. “Those look really nice.”
Her voice is quiet. Almost reserved, which judging from the entire week and a half that I’ve known her, isn’t her normal.
“Then let’s try them.” I snatch up the pencils then aim my cart toward the front.
We almost make it to the checkout when I hear my name.
“Hey, Dakota!”
I turn to see Dean Vickerson striding in our direction. I would consider Dean handsome. He’s tall, fit, and has a neatly trimmed dark beard that matches his dark hair. We’ve had drinks, danced, and worked together on some great horses, but I’ve never accepted his advances or join in when he blatantly flirts. I don’t go there with clients, and there’s the whole situation of me being hopelessly in love with my best friend.
“Hey, Dean."
“Hadn’t seen you in a few days. Figure you’d be at the Mayson Jar at some point. Let me spin you around the dance floor a time or two.”
It’s evident he hasn’t heard the news.
“I’ve been a little busy lately.” I place my hand on Arizona’s shoulder, who is currently giving Dean the death stare.
“This is my sister, Arizona.”
He holds out his hand. “Nice to meet you. I see beautiful women must run in the family.”
I inwardly cringe as she shakes his hand.
“Oblivion must run in yours,” she says, smiling.
He frowns, trying to make sense of her comment.
“Well, we better get going. I’ll be at the arena later this week,” I say, moving toward the checkout.
“Ok. See you then.” He winks.
Ari rolls her eyes, and I ignore her glances as we pile the items onto the counter.
It doesn’t take long to check out, and only a few shoppers give us pointed looks of disgust before we manage to get everythingto the truck. When I load the last bag, I feel Ari’s hand on my back.
“Dakota.”
I shut the back door before spinning around. “Yeah?”
Without warning, she launches herself at me, her arms wrapping around my torso. The hug makes my eyes prick with tears, but I push them back, and wrap my arms around her frame, hugging my sister for the first time.
