Emilio was quiet the entire car ride. Evelyn was telling me all about the best stores, the attendants she knew, and I listened attentively. She asked about the stores I used to go to in New York.

While we were talking, Emilio kept sending warning looks my way, but even his bad attitude couldn’t derail my joy. I was going shopping and nothing could make me feel anything less than ecstatic.

Evelyn was bouncing in her seat at the back of the car. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a simple nude tank top. On first glance, you would think she wasn’t even wearing a top because...