NATALIE’S POV
The automatic doors slid open, and Ava was out of my reach before I could remind her not to run.
“Slow down!” I called after her, laughing despite being nervous about the looks everyone gave.
She stopped just a few feet away and turned around with an exaggerated sigh.
“I’m walking.”
“You were running,” I said, grabbing her hands.
“I was speed walking.”
I shook my head.
“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
She grinned before skipping toward a display of colorful backpacks lined up against the wall.
The store was busier than I expected, but considering schools were opening soon, I wasn’t too surprised. Parents wandered through the aisles with shopping baskets, children argued over lunchboxes and pencil cases, and every parent there looked stressed.
“Mommy!” Ava wav
