[Kitsumi]

"It has been a while, hasn't it?" Callie asked. "Okay, let me go get my cash and then I'll meet you outside. I'm assuming we're taking your truck?"

"Yeah," Jack agreed. "That way if you find some stuff you like, we can load it up and bring it home right away."

[Kitsumi]

While Callie was getting ready to head out, Jack pulled the truck around front and parked. As soon as he spotted her exiting the building, he hopped out so that he could open the door for her, before climbing back into the driver seat. "You want the radio on or off?" he asked.

[Kitsumi]

"Is that even a question?" Callie replied, as she reached forward to press the button to turn on the radio. The music began playing faintly, but quickly became louder when Jack dialed up the volume. It was a country song, an older one that both of them had heard many times.

[Kitsumi]

Jack was the first to begin singing along, drumming on the steering wheel as he did so. He risked a glance at the woman, shooting her a grin. "Come on, Cal. I know you know the song."

The woman laughed, shaking her head. "Oh no, you don't want to hear me sing."

[Kitsumi]

"What the hell are you talking about?" he scoffed. "You've always had a pretty singing voice. Come on, don't make me do all the work." As if to prove his point, he began singing louder, his voice cracking slightly as the female singer hit a high note.

Chuckling, Callie finally joined in.

[Kitsumi]

The two shared several warm glances as they sang the song together. At one point, Callie leaned over to rest her head on Jack's shoulder for a moment. Her ex-boyfriend had put a strain on their friendship by keeping them apart. But now that they were together again, she felt as close to Jack as ever.

[Kitsumi]

As if sensing her thoughts, Jack suddenly turned serious. As the song ended and commercials began, he turned the radio down and spoke softly to Callie. "I missed you," he said. "And I don't just mean because we hadn't seen each other in so long. I missed seeing this side of you, the happy carefree girl."

[Kitsumi]

Callie sighed. "Me too," she said. "I think I lost myself for a while there, didn't I?"

"Yeah," Jack agreed. "But that's okay. If anyone can find you, it's me." He tapped her nose, causing her to giggle. "You and I are soulmates, Callie girl. Best friends for life, remember?"

[Kitsumi]

When they arrived at the second-hand store, Callie and Jack hopped out of the truck and began browsing the aisles of furniture. The woman was mainly looking for aesthetic purposes, but at least her roommate seemed to know more about furniture. She found it helpful to have him with her, pointing out the potential structural flaws in some of the pieces she liked.

[Kitsumi]

"What about this one?" Callie asked, stroking a cherry brown dresser. "There are a few scrapes, and the hinge on this drawer is missing. But it's really cheap."

Jack took his time before answering, looking the piece over. Finally, he nodded. "I think this is a good one," he said.

[Kitsumi]

"These dings won't be too hard to cover up," he continued. "And hinges are easily replaced." Taking a look at the price tag, he grinned. "Oh yeah, this is a great find for the price. What do you think? Should I go up and tell the person at the cash register that we want it?"

[Kitsumi]

After a moment longer of contemplation, Callie nodded. "Oh yeah, I want this one. While you reserve this one for us, I'll keep looking. I still need a bookshelf or two, and maybe a nightstand. The rest of the storage stuff I need can be purchased at a bigger store."

[Kitsumi]

"You got it," Jack said. He turned to walk up to the front, reserving the dresser that she had chosen. Meanwhile, she walked a little further towards where the bookshelves were. Many of them were very clearly used, with shelves that sagged in the middle or big, noticeable flaws. But there were a few that she liked.

[Kitsumi]

Just as she was beginning to bend down to check the price on one of the bookshelves, Callie felt a hand on her shoulder. Jumping slightly, she felt foolish when she turned and saw Jack, looking apologetic.

"Sorry," he said. "I thought you heard me coming up behind you. I didn't mean to startle you."

[Kitsumi]

"It's okay," Callie waved off his apology, trying to ignore the heat rising to her cheeks. "I didn't mean to react like that."

After a moment of pause, Jack asked, "So are you thinking of getting this one? It looks nice."

The woman nodded. "Yeah, I think I can afford it and the dresser."