Page 29 of Shooting for his Heart
“Oooh, look!” Vonnie exclaimed, releasing my hand as she began to clap to the sounds of the second line ahead of us.
Like a trained seal on a leash, I followed a few steps behind as Vonnie joined the processional. Her jovial laughter filled the air as she danced and pranced along with the people who had fallen in line with them. I was hypnotized as her hips swayed to the lighthearted jazz music.
Vonnie was having the time of her life. At that moment, I was committed to making sure she continued to have a good time. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched her living life without a care in the world. She was really something else. After a brief reprieve, the band continued down the street. Vonnie danced her way back over to where I stood, watching from the sidewalk.
“That was so fun! I’ve never seen that in real life.”
“You’ll probably see a ton more before we leave.”
“And I’ve been cooped up in that house every day after work. I have to get out and enjoy myself.”
“You don’t seem to have any issue with having fun when the opportunity presents itself.”
“You’re right. I planned on taking a trip to Bourbon Street, but these heels will not permit.”
With that being said, my eyes did a quick scan before landing on a gift shop. I was sure we could find Vonnie some more shoes there. They might not be as sexy as the strappy gold heels that made her ass sit up like it was on a serving tray, but they would undoubtedly be more comfortable.
I motioned, leading the way to the store. “This way.”
As soon as I walked through the door, I spotted a wall of sandals and flip-flops.
“Oh, thank goodness! I was this close to walking barefoot through the streets. My feet hurt bad enough from standing at work all day. I can’t have my dogs barking when I’m out trying to have fun.”
“You probably need better shoes,” I suggested.
“I know. I keep saying that I’m going to get new ones, but so far, I haven’t.”
I watched as Vonnie reached up and selected a pair of green flip-flops that weren’t quite the same shade as her dress but would do in a pinch. I didn’t care what she got; I just wanted to make her comfortable. Leave it to her to grab a feathered boa of the same shade as we made our way to the front counter to pay. She searched through her tiny, little purse as the cashier rang up her items. Before she had the chance to pull out her card, I had already tapped mine.
“Shawn, what are you doing?”
“I wasn’t about to stand here all night waiting for you to pull your money out of that little bag. We have beignets to eat.”
“Oh, hush. Come on.” She snatched the bag from the counter and headed outside.
“Go ahead and change shoes. I don’t want to hear you hollering about your feet.”
“How far is this place?”
“It’s about twenty minutes,” I confirmed.
“Oh, well… I definitely need to change shoes. I can’t walk another five minutes in these bad boys, let alone twenty.”
“How did you get down here anyway?”
“Rideshare.”
“It’s a good thing I drove then.” I smirked.
“Well, damn. Why didn’t you think to share that information when I was crying about my feet?”
“I figured it didn’t matter if your feet were already hurting. Besides… we’re walking again once we get to our destination.”
“Oh, yeah.” She giggled, leaning against the building to change her shoes. “Excuse me. I’m a little tipsy.”
“You only had two drinks.”
“While you nursed that same one. I know you’re not trying to call me a lightweight.”
