Page 32 of Savage

Feeling hopeful, I followed her up to the front door, and as we stepped inside, a bell chimed, announcing our arrival. The store was filled with a variety of clothing items, ranging from dresses to skirts to blouses, and Mom was right. She had some really great sales.

I started browsing through the racks, and it wasn’t long before a cute little black dress caught my eye. It was made of a soft material and had a flowy skirt that would be perfect for the wedding. I held it up to my body, admiring it in the mirror, and I was about to get Mom’s opinion when I spotted her talking to a man near the back of the store.

He was older with a kind smile and perfectly styled gray hair, wearing a cute little sweater vest, and my mother was yammering on like they were old friends. After a minute or so, Mom nodded her head, then turned and headed over to me.

As soon as she was within earshot, I whispered, “Who was that?”

"Oh, that’s Mr. Bruton. He’s on the town council, and he’s getting a petition together for a new caution light in town.”

“Another caution light?” I rolled my eyes. “That’s the last thing we need. We already have three, and no one knows how to use them.”

“Londyn.”

“Well, they don’t.”

“I happen to think it’s a splendid idea.” She shook her head as she reached for the dress in my hand. “This is cute.”

“You think so?”

“I do.” She held it up to my chest and smiled. “I think you should try it on.”

“You think?”

“Absolutely. I think it will be perfect for the wedding.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

I slipped into the dressing room, and just as I’d hoped, it fit like a glove. I stepped out and did a quick spin, and Mom gasped. “It’s perfect. We have to get it.”

“I think so, too.”

I darted back into the dressing room and changed back into my clothes. I took the dress up to the counter and reached into my purse only to discover that my wallet wasn’t there. “One second. I need to run out to my car.”

Mom immediately stepped over and said, “I can get it for you.”

“No, I’ve got it.”

I didn’t want to get into a debate with my mother, so I quickly turned and rushed out the door. I went to my car and grabbed my wallet from the console. I was about to head back inside when my attention was drawn to the coffee shop across the street.

My heart jumped in my chest when I saw that it was him.

Malcomb.

He was walking towards his truck with a cup of coffee in each hand. He was taller, broader, and more muscular than I remembered. He was a man now, all tough and gruff, but I could still see remnants of the Malcomb I once knew. He was lurking behind that fierce exterior, and I found myself wishing I could talk to him.

Just for a second.

With a little fancy maneuvering, he managed to open the door to his SUV. My breath caught when he suddenly stopped and glanced over his shoulder, looking around the parking lot. I didn’t move. I just stood there next to my car, watching intently as he eventually got inside his truck.

I felt compelled to rush over and speak to him.

But the thought terrified me.

I was going back and forth in my head when I noticed that he wasn’t alone. There was a blonde sitting in the passenger seat. Her head was down, making it difficult to see her face, but it didn’t matter.

He wasn’t alone.

I’d held on for years, but it was clear he hadn’t done the same.

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