“Well on that note,” I finally say, pushing off from the desk and leaning down to give my grandfather a hug. “Wish me luck, then.”
Grandpa pats my arms before shooing me away. I walk around the perimeter of the store, circling to the back and coming up behind Mellie’s chair a few moments later. I take a deep breath before I speak.
“What are you reading?” My voice cuts through the silence.
Mellie jumps, looking up in alarm before her gaze settles on me and stills, softening. “Oh, hey Ro.” She shifts in her chair, turning to face me while placing her book on her lap. “Picked upDraculaagain today. Guess the weather put me in the mood for something broody and gothic.” She clears her throat, glancing around the store as if coming out of a trance.
“Ah, cool.” I shove my hands into the back pockets of my jeans, silently cursing the rain again as I focus on my feet, scuffing a sneaker against the wood grain.
Now’s the time, buddy. If you’re gonna do it, now’s?—
“What’s up?” Mellie asks, breaking the brief silence. “Were you looking for me?”
Another deep breath. In and out.
Lifting my chin, my gaze collides with her amber stare.
God, she’s so pretty.
“Yeah, actually, I was. Um, I was wondering what you’re up to this weekend. Have any plans yet? Are you—” I trip over my words. “Are you going to the bonfire on Saturday?” My pulse thuds so loudly, so violently, I’m sure Grandpa can hear my heartbeats from up front.
Mellie’s cheeks turn a rosy pink. She glances down at her hands before looking back up, not quite meeting my eyes thistime. “Oh, um. Yes, I’m going. Actually…” She blushes a deeper shade. “I…have a date.”
“A…date?” My words echo hers, reverberating through my mind. A mind that is currently empty, all thoughts flooding out, washing away with the rain outside.
“Yeah, so Conrad actually asked if I wanted to go with him. To the bonfire.” Mellie clarifies. Her hands twist in her lap.
Is she nervous? Why wouldshebe nervous? She’s not the one failing monumentally at life right now. She’s not the one about to sink through the floorboards, never to be seen again. I’ve never wished so hard for the ground to swallow me up as I am right this very second.
“Conrad? Your biology partner? That Conrad?”
“Yes,thatConrad,” Mellie replies, defensive. “What’s wrong with Conrad?”
“Nothing, I guess.” I blow the hair out of my face and sink back on my heels. “I just didn’t know you had a thing for him. That’s all.”
“He’s cute,” Mellie says in a quiet voice. My heart snaps in two, but she keeps going, oblivious to my pain. “He’s always nice to me, and lets me borrow his notes when I get confused in class. And, he smells good.” She finishes, finally glancing back up at me.
Hesmellsgood? Fuck me.
“Ah. Well, then, if hesmells good…” The attempt at humor lands, and Mellie giggles before reaching out to slap at my arm.
“Stop it! Don’t make fun of me.” Mellie sits back, seeming more at ease.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I reply. I start to back away, hands still tucked away in my pockets. “Well, okay, I gotta go. I’ll see you later, Mel.”
Before she can get a chance to reply, I spin on my heel and beeline for the back exit. I abandon my umbrella to save face in front of my grandpa. On the outside, I’m composed, my face made of stone. But inside—inside, I’m breaking apart into a million tiny pieces. I finally get the nerve to acton my feelings and fucking Smell Good Conrad beat me to the punch. I’m reminded of my grandfather’s story and I shake my head. I’m not about to disrupt Mel’s date, not if she genuinely likes this guy.
So much for good timing.
Chapter Eighteen
MELLIE
PRESENT DAY
January 10th
What sort of bribe would you accept to maybe, possibly, bring me over an iced brown sugar latte to the Nook?
