“Probably something boring,” Waylay predicted as she tossed another carrot stick over her shoulder into the yard.
“Back-to-school shopping.”
She looked at me with suspicion. “Is that a thing?”
“Of course it’s a thing. You’re a kid. Kids grow. They outgrow old stuff and need new stuff.”
“You’re taking me shopping. For clothes?” Waylay said slowly.
“And shoes. And school supplies. Your teacher hasn’t answered my emails yet, so I got a copy of the supply list from Chloe’s mom.” I was babbling because I was nervous. Waylay and I had yet to connect, and I was willing to attempt to buy her affection.
“Do I get to pick the clothes?”
“You’re the one wearing them. I might retain veto power in case you decide to go for a fur coat or velour tracksuits. But yeah. You get to pick.”
“Huh. Okay,” she said.
She wasn’t exactly jumping up and down and throwing her arms around me like she had in my imagination. But there was a twinkle of a smile happening at the corners of her mouth as she ate her turkey and provolone.
After lunch, I sent Waylay upstairs to get ready while I reviewed the mall research I’d printed at the library. I was only halfway through the store descriptions when there was a knock at the front door. Fearing it was another “drop-by” from Yolanda, I took a moment to run my fingers through my hair, check my teeth for lipstick, and close the lid on the rolltop desk so she couldn’t judge my obsession with notebooks and planners.
Instead of Yolanda, I found the most annoying man in the world standing on the porch in jeans, a gray t-shirt, and aviators. His hair looked a little shorter on top. I guessed when you owned a barbershop, you could get a haircut whenever you wanted. It was annoying how attractive he was, all bearded and tattooed and aloof.
“Howdy, neighbor,” he said.
“Who are you and what have you done with blond Oscar?” I asked.
“Let’s go,” he said, hooking his thumb toward his truck.
“What? Where? Why are you here?”
“Liza J said you needed a ride. I’m your ride.”
I shook my head. “Oh, no. I’m not doing this with you today.”
“Not playing games, Daisy. Get your ass in the truck.”
“As charming as that invitation is, Viking, I’m taking Waylay back-to-school shopping. You don’t strike me as a ‘spend the day shopping with the girls’ kind of neighbor.”
“You’re not wrong. But maybe I’m a ‘drop the girls off at the mall and pick them up when they’re done’ kind of neighbor.”
“No offense. But no. You’re not that either.”
“We can stand here arguing about it for the next hour or you can get your ass in the truck.” He sounded almost cheerful, and that made me suspicious.
“Why can’t I just borrow Liza’s car?” That had been the plan. I didn’t like when things didn’t go according to plan.
“Can’t now. She needs it.” He leaned around me and called into the house. “Waylay, get a move on! Bus is leaving.”
I heard the thunder of feet upstairs as my niece forgot to play it cool.
I put a hand to his chest and pushed him back until we were both standing on the porch. “Listen, this trip is important. I’m trying to bond with Waylay, and she’s never been back-to-school shopping before. So if you’re going to do anything to ruin it, I’d rather take a Lyft to the mall. In fact, that’s what I’m going to do.”
He looked downright amused. “And how are you going to do that with a piece of shit phone that’s too old to download apps?”
Damn it.
Waylay vaulted into the living room, landing with both feet before rearranging her expression into a look of boredom. “Hey,” she said to Knox.
“Knox is going to drive us,” I explained with zero enthusiasm.
“Cool. How much stuff are you planning to buy if you need a whole entire pickup truck?” Waylay wondered.
“Your aunt said she plans to buy out half the mall. Figured it was best to come prepared,” Knox said.
I caught the little half smile on her face before she led the way down the porch steps and said, “Let’s get this over with.”
My suspicions were further heightened when we got in the truck, and I found a coffee for me and a smoothie for Waylay.
“What’s your game?” I asked Knox when he slid behind the wheel.
He ignored me to frown over a text.