Page 24 of Don't Make Promises
Giggling, Sutton whispers, “I’ve had so much fun today. Can’t we keep going?”
Tapping my finger on my chin, I pretend to consider her request before I nod. My face splits into a grin that matches Suttons, high off of having found a deal and the alcohol still coursing through my veins.
Pointing her finger in the air, Sutton declares, “To the checkout and then the bar,” before bursting into a fit of giggles.
I can’t help but join her as we move toward the cash register. Dragging Sutton away from every other rack of clothes, I pay for the dress, breathing a sigh of relief when it goes through at the sale price.
As we strut our way through the store, Sutton whispers to me, “Have you ever wanted to have aPretty Womanmoment? Not the prostitute part, but the ‘you made a big mistake' part.”
Laughing, I reply, “Hasn’t everyone?”
We stare at each other, silently agreeing, before we reach the exit and give out a chorus of the scene with Vivian and the snobby saleswoman.
Bursting onto the sidewalk in a fit of laughter, we merge into the crowds at a leisurely pace I know will be frustrating to the other pedestrians.
Every so often, we stop to peek in the store windows. It’s while we’re gazing through at the shoe display of one store that Sutton asks, “Are you going to tell me why you left your ex’s place with no clothes? Did he burn them all? Or stuff them into the trash compactor?”
I’m admiring a pair of neon purple platform heels when I chuckle. “You say that like I’ve refused to tell you all day. It’s really nothing so… extravagant, although that would make for a better story.”
Sutton pouts before chuckling, “Fine, call me out like that, why don’t you. I didn’t want to be nosey, and you didn’t exactly bring it up.”
Touché.“Well, if you must know, I walked in on him having sex with my old roommate when I came home early from a work trip. And in the rush to leave because he got physical, I forgot to pick up the bags I’d left by the door.”
The admission sobers us, and Sutton reassuringly squeezes my arm as we fall quiet, the city passing us by.
I don’t need to look in her direction to know that her face is filled with sympathy as she says, “I’m so sorry, Savannah.”
I allow myself a moment to let the reality of what happened a week ago at Will’s sink in. Yes, I was able to get myself out of his place, for the most part unscathed, but I admit, for a moment, a flare of panic consumed me. I’ve always tried to be so tough. And I certainly haven’t talked to anyone about it.
Throwing a smile on my face, I turn to Sutton, shutting down the thoughts. “It’s fine. I knew he wasn’t for me anyway. I punched him in the face, so I don’t think he’ll try it again.”
Sutton’s eyes widen and I see a flare of admiration before she nods and links her arm with mine, turning us to walk further down the sidewalk.
“You’re brave, Savannah. I don’t think I’d have had the courage to do that.”
With a small smile gracing my lips, I reply, “That’s what growin’ up with an older brother and his friends did for me.”
Sutton chuckles and we fall into a comfortable silence as we walk. At least until my curiosity gets the better of me. “How do you know my brother? I mean, I know he’s Noah’s best friend, but that doesn’t explain why he’d talk to you about me. No offense.”
Sutton looks away, a blush rising in her cheeks. I think I’ve stumbled on something with my question.
Clearing her throat, Sutton steps up to the window of a bookstore. “None taken. He was how I met Noah. We were really good friends in college but drifted apart. You know how it is. When I moved to the city, I reached out to him, hoping…well, it doesn’t matter, but he invited me out with a bunch of his friends. You, more than anyone, knows what Jack’s like when it comes to connecting people. Noah and I spent most of the night talking about Jack. He surprised me when, at the end of the night, he asked me on a date. And the rest is history, as they say.”
Was Sutton hoping that Jack would be the one to ask her out?
My mind gets stuck on what she’s not saying. It certainly seems like her interest was more in Jack than Noah, but… surely she wouldn’t have gone on a date with Noah if that was the case?
I’m lost in my thoughts when Sutton speaks again, changing the subject. “I have an idea. Why doesn’t Noah go with you tomorrow to get your things from your ex’s? He’ll make sure the scumbag doesn’t lay another finger on you.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary, honestly.”
Pouting, Sutton loops her arm through mine as we continue down the sidewalk. “It would make me feel better. Especially as you don’t know what you’d be walking into. What if he wants revenge for you hitting him? Even though it was self defense, I’m sure he doesn’t see it like that.” She pauses before almost reluctantly continuing, “And I know it would make Jack feel better.”
I doubt Noah would even want to go with me. And even though I can handle myself, I still find myself replying, “Okay.”
Maybe she’ll have forgotten by the time we get home.
I’m not certain I’m ready to go back to Will’s just yet, even if it is to get my things. I know I have to because who knows what he might do with it all, but barely a week after everything, it’s still a bit too soon.