I turned away from the counter and walked toward the exit.

I walked out of the store and crossed the hot pavement to my car.

The steering wheel burned my hands when I gripped the leather.

I sat in the driver’s seat with the engine off.

My hands were empty, and my wedding was tomorrow.

I pressed the green call button on my steering wheel.

The phone screen glowed bright against the shaded interior of my car.

I sat parked at the curb outside the jewelry shop, watching a family walk out carrying a small blue bag.