“Sure. I’ll let Thomas and Julie know you’re leaving campus and pick you up in five minutes.”

“See you then,” I reply. I turn back to Katie. “He’ll be here in five minutes.”

We head outside to wait for Philip in the sunshine. We’ve just sat on one of the benches outside the dorm when Philip pulls up in his black sedan. I smile at him as I climb into the front seat.

“Thanks for the ride.”

“Of course,” Philip responds before turning to greet Katie.

It’s only a ten-minute drive to Lincoln’s small downtown area from campus. The town is busier than either of the other two times I’ve been before. The narrow sidewalk is crowded with a mix of both Lincoln students and local residents.

“Text when you guys are ready to leave,” Philip tells me after he parks alongside the curb outside of the bookstore.

I nod in acknowledgement, although I know he’ll likely be keeping tabs on us the entire time and won’t actually need the update.

Katie and I integrate into the crowd and begin strolling along in front of the cute storefronts that line the block.

“Let’s go in here.” I nod to a clothing store with a colorful display of patterned woolen scarves in the window. We head inside to discover the interior of the shop is filled with a wide assortment of cute sweaters and warm jackets. Not at all what we’re shopping for, but I stop to browse through the scarf collection anyway. I spot a black and white herringbone patterned one that I grab for myself, along with a navy plaid scarf I see Katie eyeing.

“Vivienne, you don’t have to do that,” she protests as I bring them both up to the register to purchase.

“I told you this trip was my treat.” I hand her the bag containing her new scarf after I’ve paid. “Now come on, let’s find some outfits that are less weather appropriate.”

We strike out at two more stores before Katie points to one with a light blue awning.

We walk inside to find several other college-aged girls browsing inside as well. I spot a red velvet dress with a plunging neckline on a mannequin in the corner and immediately head toward it. Katie follows me.

“This would look amazing on you,” I tell her.

She fingers the soft fabric gently. I glance around and spot several more of the same red dress hanging on one of the many racks lining the walls. I grab her size and hand it to her, nodding to the changing rooms in the back of the small store.

“Just try it on,” I encourage her.

She complies, stepping out a few minutes later in the curve-hugging dress.

“You’re getting it,” I inform her. “You look amazing, Katie.”

She smiles at her reflection bashfully. “Okay, I’ll wear it.”

I smile victoriously.

“What about you? Did you find anything?” Katie asks.

I hold up the gray suede miniskirt and silky navy top I grabbed while she was changing. “What do you think of these?”