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“Feeling okay?” I ask, trying to make sure she’s not feeling light-headed or faint in any way. She nods.

“I’ll walk you guys out.” James heads out of the room with us following, heading back to the reception desk at the front of the shop.

“How much do I owe you?” Naomi asks, reaching for her wallet in her purse.

“Oh, she didn’t tell you? Sage prepaid for the appointment. You’re all set to go.”

She whips around, turning to me. “Sage! You didn’t have to do that.”

“Eh, it was my treat. Think of it as my welcome present into the rebel club,” I say with a wink.

She takes out a ten-dollar bill, sliding it across the counter to James. “Well, here’s a tip. And if she pre-tipped, I don’t care, take it anyway.”

He laughs, taking the bill and tucking it away into the register drawer. “You are welcome back any time you want, Naomi. Maybe next time you’ll get a tattoo.”

She grins, taking my hand. “Maybe! Thanks again.”

Naomi and I go back outside to the car, driving off to my parents’ house. “I can’t believe I just did that!”

I laugh. “Yeah, you did! I’m proud of you.”

“For what?” Naomi asks with a laugh, looking over at me.

“For being brave. I know how tough this was for you, but you ignored other people’s thoughts and did what you wanted to do.”

“Well, I have you to thank for that. And Maeve and Alex. Y’all have been so encouraging and supportive of me. It’s given me the courage I needed to step outside my bubble.”

“Always, Church Girl. You’re stuck with me, remember?” I ask, grinning at Naomi.

“Forever and always.”

15

Sage

Ipull up to my parents’ house, parking in the driveway behind my mom’s car. I go to get out of the car, but Naomi stops me. “Wait.”

I pause, letting the car door close slightly. “Yes, Naomi?”

“What if your mom doesn’t like me? I’m not even dressed up. I look like I just rolled out of bed.”

I playfully roll my eyes. “Naomi, even when you roll out of bed, you look beautiful. Either way, my mom doesn’t care. Plus, I know she’s going to love you.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because you’re extremely important to me. So, by association, she’ll love you. Now come on, I say, giving her a quick peck on the cheek before getting out of the car. We head to the front door and I let us in, kicking my shoes off in the front hallway before making my way to the kitchen. “I’m home!” I call out, rounding the corner to see both my parents standing in the kitchen, my dad cooking and my mom sitting at the kitchen island, pouring herself a glass of wine.

Melody gets up from the bar stool she was sitting on, walking over to me with open arms. “Sage! It’s so good to see you, honey,” she says, pulling me down for a tight hug. I’m 5’10,” but Melody is 5’3” on a good day. Our height difference is comical at times, especially since she always insists on pulling me down to her level to hug me. But this woman gives the best hugs.

“Hi, Mom, I missed you. I’m glad you guys were home today.”

I finally started calling them Mom and Dad, when I was eighteen. It was a tough adjustment at first, but they truly are my mom and dad. They’ve cared for me in a way no one else has. They chose to be my parents and have lived up to the task every day since.

She releases me, turning to Naomi. “Oh my goodness, you’re even prettier in person! You must be Naomi. Sage has told me so much about you,” she says, pulling Naomi in for one of her famous hugs as well.

I blush, a little embarrassed that my mom revealed I’ve been telling her about Naomi. “Mom! You weren’t supposed to say that.”

Naomi gives me a smile before turning her attention back to Melody. “I hope it was all good things?”