"Are you ready?" Brian asked poking his head in the door. Patrice jumped before nodding. "Lets go then." Brian said stepping out of her way. 'Why is she so jumpy?' Brian thought to himself. Brian showed her the door to the garage that connected to the house. There were three cars in there and she couldn't help but thinking, 'Why does Brian have three cars for his one ass?" Brian picked a silver Ford Explorer. When they were seated and had their seatbelts on, Brian raised the garage door and pulled away from his home. Patrice wanted to ask where they were going but decided against it, she wasn't paying. Brian drove to the downtown area of Lexington. "Banana Republic, or the mall?" Brian asked as soon as they got to the main street. "I was thinking along the lines of target," Patrice said knowing that Banana Republic was one of the most expensive places ever. "Target!" Brian exclaimed. "Patrice I want you to have nice things, I want to give you anything you want." He said placing his hand on top of hers. Patrice swallowed hard feeling herself choke up again. "Okay your pick then." She said quietly. Brian smiled to himself as he pulled into the parking lot of Banana Republic.
Patrice and Brian shopped around the store for an hour before going to the check out counter. While they were in line Brian offered her a piece of gum. Patrice chewed her gun until it was soft and then let it rest inside her mouth. "You still do that." Brian said chuckling. "Do what?" Patrice asked. "You just let the gum sit inside your mouth," he said. "And you still smack like a cow!" Patrice exclaimed. "Well I guess some things never change then." Brian said putting his arm around her shoulder. "Yeah I guess." Patrice said feeling like everything changed. Soon they were ringing up their purchases and Patrice was afraid to even look. "403.97" the cashier started, "Cash, check or Debit?" she finished. Patrice's gum, along with her jaw fell to the floor. She hoped nobody saw the gum drop out of her mouth. Brian pulled out five hundred-dollar bills and handed them to the woman without even flinching. He grabbed the bags and left and Patrice debated on whether or not to tell him that he left a hefty tip for that woman. If Brian didn't notice, she figured she shouldn't tell him. They made their way back to the car and Brian put the things into the back seat. When they were seated in the car Brian turned to her with a serious look on his face and said, "You know, I know you like the clothes and everything, but you didn't have to drop your gum." He said dissolving into laughter. "You noticed." Patrice mumbled suddenly embarrassed. "Of course I did but that’s okay!" Brian said smiling that wide grin he had. "Then all is right with the world." Patrice said playing along. Brian noticed that her eyes were sparkling and she looked so pretty without exploiting herself. "Tell you what,” he said heading away from the downtown area, "We will go home, order some pizza and talk." Brian said, a real seriousness taking over her voice. "Ok." Patrice said, suddenly somber.
Patrice showered and dressed in her pajamas. She was supposed to meet Brian downstairs. She was also stalling. She didn't feel like she would ever be up to the little honesty session that was going to take place. She let her hair down and left her bedroom. She might as well get it over with, but she had so much to tell him.
