At the mall, the glass doors parted with a soft whoosh as Jamal and Callan stepped inside. The cool air rushed against their skin, carrying the faint mix of perfume, fabric, and freshly brewed coffee from a nearby café.
They rode the escalator up, and when they stepped out of it, Jamal's gaze scanned the wide aisles until he spotted the bright sign of the clothing store Brenda had mentioned.
Inside, the store buzzed with activity. Bella and Brenda were bent over a rack of clothes for little boys, holding up T-shirts decorated with cartoon heroes and giggling whenever Josh shook his head or made a funny face. Branden was fiddling with his phone while occasionally glancing toward them.
Abigail emerged from the dressing room, and the moment her eyes landed on Jamal who approaching the store but yet to see her, her heart skipped a beat and a wide smile broke through her face.
"Josh, your daddy is here!" She called out, her voice light and excited.
