She’s pretty.
It’s her smile. The way it lights up her eyes and colors her cheeks. It’s infectious.
I have a sinking realization.
I don’t want her to leave.
Chapter 21
Nora
BudgieFest is finally here.
And,ta-da, my list is complete. Of course, the cottage still needs work, but it’s clean and organized, I’ve found good homes for several more budgies, and the book is compiled with all Grandma’s love letters and memorabilia.
Now what?
Dread pools in the pit of my belly. I’m not sure what my future looks like, but I can’t stay at Elias’s house forever, piddling through Grandma’s things.
I need to deal with my apartment. I need to find a new job. I need to remember I have a life outside of Budgie Bay.
The icky feeling doesn’t go away. Nothing about leaving feels right.
At least I don’t have to worry about all that right now. Today is a nostalgic one. Elias is taking me to BudgieFest. While he sells his metal cages, I’ll poke around and see what sort of trouble I can get myself into. Mostly, I just want to find all the food trucks and pass out my grandma’s budgie care book.
Traffic is a nightmare as we approach the Plumage Expo Center. There are parking lots, but they’re backed up as people try to find a spot. Elias, used to going in slow-motion, drums his fingers on the steering wheel, singing loud and off-key to an Alan Jackson song.
Weeks ago, I might have been filled with anxiety, eager to get to my destination. But, with my bare feet propped up on the dash and my hand outside the window, I dance and sing along with him. There’s no rush. It’s kind of nice.
After an eternity, and we’re both sweating, Elias finds a spot a country mile away. We don’t complain. I slide my feet back into my sandals, grab my crossbody purse, and then am about to climb out when the door flings open for me. Elias offers me a hand and a grin that makes my heart beat a little too fast in this heat.
“Thanks,” I say as I slide on my purse and then take his hand.
He pulls me out of the truck but doesn’t let go. His dad is manning his booth this morning, so we have some time to peruse before he goes to give him a break.
“Is this a date?” I ask in a teasing voice.
Elias doesn’t say anything for so long, I squirm and huff. Finally, he chuckles and winks at me. “Yup.”
His grip on my hand tightens and it sends electric jolts through me. It’s strange how we’ve made it to this point. When I’d first arrived, I couldn’t stand him. Then, somewhere along the way, we got to this. Holding hands.
And I do like him.
A lot.
My hair is messy and pulled up in a bun. I’m not wearing any makeup. And the dress is one I picked up at Molt Mercantile yesterday for three bucks. It’s so far from the New Yorker I was just weeks ago. Somehow, though, it’s the most comfortable I’ve felt in my entire adult life.
BudgieFest is packed. The event grounds are covered in booths, food trucks, and endless amounts of people. I’m reminded of being a child, clutching onto Grandma’s hand, begging her to take me here and there and everywhere.
Even though my chest aches at the thought of her, I don’t let it dampen my mood. Just honoring my grandma by thinking of her.
We pass by several booths selling cool handmade items. I’m enamored by the wind chimes. Elias not-so-discreetly hands her some cash to purchase the one I was looking at. It’s one of the things I like about him. He’s observant and anticipates my needs.
My chest aches with longing. I miss my grandma so much. She’d love this budding thing between us. Grandma always wanted me to be happy and to follow my heart. I followed it to Budgie Bay and now I’m unsure where to go next.
“Want your face painted?” a woman with feathers painted on her face asks me. “Only five dollars.”
I glance over at Elias and he smirks. “It’s your face.”
