Chapter 13 Friendly Gestures

• Monique glanced back at Jacob as they exited the store that specialized in bags. She noticed his gaze on her as she turned around. His expression remained blank, making it hard for her to decipher his thoughts. At that moment, he was carrying three paper bags containing Clarinda's purchases from their first store visit – all bags. Monique had made a purchase as well, but only one. She wasn't particularly fond of buying bags; she bought them only when necessary and still had ones she used.
• Jacob had offered earlier to carry her purchases, but she had declined. She felt hesitant to have him carry her bags. It would have been a different story if it were Joshua; she wouldn't have refused if he had offered to carry her bag. Sometimes when she was with her boyfriend, he'd carry her bag.
• She shifted her gaze away from Jacob and turned to Clarinda, who was beside her. "Uhmn, Clarinda?" she began.