It was a bright Saturday afternoon when Jake and his girlfriend Esli pulled into the shopping center’s parking lot. The sun was shining, music played lightly from nearby outdoor speakers, and people were milling around with shopping bags in hand.

Jake parked the car and looked over at Esli, who was tying her hair into a high ponytail. She wore a crisp white crop top and matching white leggings, looking effortlessly stylish as always.

“You sure we’re not underdressed for a shopping spree?” Jake teased, grabbing the keys.

Esli laughed, slipping on her sunglasses. “I’m not underdressed. You are.” She gave him a playful nudge. “Let’s go before the good shoes get taken.”

They walked side by side into the mall, starting at a popular sneaker store. Esli immediately went to a wall lined with Jordans, eyes wide.

“These are so clean,” she said, pointing to a white and gold pair. “You’d look good in these.”

“I’m not trying to spend $200 on sneakers today,” Jake laughed.

“Oh, come on,” she said with a grin. “That big company of yours can handle it.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m nineteen. I’m not Jeff Bezos.”

They moved from store to store—Esli trying on sunglasses, modeling a denim jacket she didn’t end up buying, and dragging Jake into her favorite candle shop. At one point, they passed a little smoothie kiosk.

“Ooo,” Esli said, stopping mid-step. “Strawberry mango smoothie? Yes please.”

“You know I’m the one paying, right?”

“Exactly why I asked with such confidence.” She gave him a cheeky grin and kissed his cheek before bouncing over to order.

Jake just smiled, watching her charm the cashier with her upbeat energy. She had this way of making even the most casual Saturday feel like something special. Shopping bags in hand and smoothies in tow, they found a bench and sat down.

“This was fun,” Esli said, sipping her drink and leaning on his shoulder.

Jake nodded. “Yeah. You make everything fun.”

She smiled softly. “Good answer. You’re learning.”