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“Maybe try both on and see which one feels the most comfortable,” Jay suggested.
Misha found her size in each style, then took them over to the seat provided for customers to try on shoes. She’d switched her socks at the gym, so at least she wasn’t shoving her sweaty feet into the boots.
“Here, let me lace them up,” Jay said, getting down on his knees in front of her.
Misha stared at the top of his head as he deftly tightened, then tied the laces. It was hard to not like this man who seemed so willing to do things for her.
“Is that too tight?” He glanced up at her, and their gazes met and held for a moment.
She cleared her throat. “Uh… No, that feels fine.”
“Do you want both boots of the same style on at the same time?” he asked.
“I think having one of each style on at the same time is better.”
Jay nodded, and before she could say anything, he’d slid her other shoe off and quickly replaced it with the second boot. It seemed like he’d done this before, and if she had to guess where, it would be with the players he coached.
He didn’t turn it into an intimate thing, so Misha tried not to view it that way, though never in her life had a man helped her like that. The last person to help fasten her shoes had been her mom when she was little.
“Thanks,” she said as he finished tying the remaining boot.
“You’re welcome.” He straightened to his full height, then said, “Why don’t you walk around and see how they feel?”
Misha walked up and down the aisle, stopping in front of the mirror for a moment to see how they looked. “Well, onelooksbetter, but the otherfeelsbetter.”
Jay laughed. “I understand there is a draw to get the one that looks better, but I would highly recommend that you go with the pair that feels better. Your feet will thank you.”
“I know you’re right,” Misha said with a sigh. “I’ve had to wear a lot of shoes over the years for their comfort instead of their appearance, so it’s hard to go for the practical one.”
“Go for the practical ones,” Jay urged her. “You’ll be glad you did.”
Misha stared at the boots in the mirror. “Okay. Fine. Just this once.”
She sat back down and took off the rejected boot, so she could try on both of the practical pair. While she walked around in them to make sure they both fit well, Jay returned the other pair to their box. He put that box back on the shelf, then stoodwith the other box in hand as she swapped the boots for her shoes.
“Sure you don’t need anything else?” Jay asked.
“Nope. I’m good. How about you?”
He thought for a moment, then said, “I could use some fruit for my smoothies.”
They walked into the grocery part of the store, and Misha took the box with the boots as Jay looked over a variety of fruits. She already knew that he focused on healthy eating, so it wasn’t a surprise that the guy didn’t even seem to be tempted to pick up any of the treats that were scattered around the food section.
She wondered if the packs of apples with caramel for dipping would be considered a fruit or a treat. Personally, she leaned toward fruit, but she had a feeling that Jay would consider them a treat.
With a smile, she snagged a pack, just to see if he’d say anything. He rarely commented on the food other people ate for lunch at the clinic, only teasing the others when they made a comment about his food.
“Did you find something you needed?”
“Needed?” Misha turned the pack of apple slices over in her hand. “Not really needed, but definitely wanted.”
Jay chuckled. “Alright. Any other wants while we’re here?”
“Nope. I’m good.”
Jay stuck close to her as they walked to the self-check-out area. Misha went to one of the tills, while Jay stepped up to the one next to hers. It didn’t take long for them to finish up and head out of the store.
They were stopped for a moment by a teen guy who recognized Jay. He asked the guy how he was doing, listening with obvious interest as the kid told him about his plans once school was out, which would be in a few weeks.
