It took three weeks, but his perseverance finally paid off. That evening Brooks was with Kylie, a pretty brunette with long, shiny hair, a pert nose, and big eyes. Of the two, Alan liked her best, and not just because he remembered her name. She was a nice young lady, and always took a moment after getting into the car to say hello to him. When he dropped them off at the mall, she always called out, “Thanks, bye!” as Brooks led her into the cinema. Afterward, she’d tell Alan a bit about the movie or what previews they’d seen, sharing their evening with him as Brooks nuzzled against her neck on the drive back to her house.
That evening, Alan dropped the kids off, then parked nearby. He paced inside the mall, wishing for a bookshop he could linger in, but most of the shops only sold clothes
