Evan leans against the counter next to the stove, smiling at us. “You guys are adorable. This warms my heart. And sure, babe. I love that one. Whatever you want is what I want.”
Cat blows him a kiss and turns the tablet back to face us. “It’s decided then. I’ll send this over to Jay tomorrow.” Jay owns the bakery downtown, Bread and Batter.
“Well, that was easy! What’s left on your to-do list?” I ask, grabbing one of the many bridal magazines sitting on the counter next to me and begin idly flipping through the pages.
“Well, we’ve got the cake now, so that leaves finalizing flowers with Imogen and Erica, music, and we still need to find a caterer.” Cat spins in her chair to beam at me, eyes glittering. “Oh, and dress shopping! I still need you and the other girls to pick your dresses. I’ve got an appointment at a bridal shop next month. I’ll need you with me, if you’ll come?”
“Of course! I wouldn’t miss that for anything,” I proclaim. “Are your sisters going to be there?”
“Hopefully. My mom still isn’t sure if Gabbie will be able to make it. She’s been working a lot of overtime at the hospital and has her exams coming up. But Minnie will definitely be there.”
Cat is the oldest of three daughters. Her middle sister, Gabbie, works at a hospital in Seattle, and is finishing up school for her nursing degree. The youngest of them, Minnie, short for Ximena, works at the library here in Blue Fields.
“Ah, speaking of Minnie,” I say, stopping my page flipping to admire a particularly gorgeous dress. “We got a flyer the otherday from the library about a writing contest. You know anything about that?”
“Oh! Minnie did mention something about a contest she was helping organize. That must be it.” Her delicate features are piqued with interest when I glance up. “Are you planning on entering, then?”
The words from the flyer run through my head yet again.Short Story Writing Contest. Win Cash Prize and Publication in The Emerald Times, Washington’s Premiere Online Lifestyle Magazine!
“Yeah,” I answer. “Yeah, I think I might.”
“That’s awesome, sis,” Evan chimes in. “I fully support this. I could totally see you writing a book.” He gives the gumbo a final stir before turning back to us. “And, dinner is finally ready. Remind me how long this shit takes to cook next time we decide on making this.” He directs the last bit at Cat. “I’m exhausted.”
“Well, if it tastes as good as it smells, little bro, it’ll be worth all your blood, sweat, and tears.” I stand to help Cat set the table.
Evan dishes out generous helpings into three bowls and sets them at our placemats. I take a bite and almost moan at the taste.
“Holy shit, Ev,” I manage. “Did you miss your calling in the culinary world? This is fucking delicious.” The crabmeat practically melts against my tongue.
My brother looks proud at my compliment. “Nah, just a hobby I picked up while you were out living your glamorous Hollywood life.” He takes a bite and grins. “Yeah, definitely worth the blood, sweat, and tears.”
“Maybe you should cater our wedding,” Cat jokes.
“You know, that does give me an idea.” I pause between bites, thinking before turning to Evan. “Remember that guy we were friends with when I was in college that we used to playD&Dwith?”
Evan nods, so I continue, explaining to Cat, “His name is Beck, and he used to cook up these freaking amazing spreads for our game nights. He wound up quitting his desk job and going to culinary school. We’re still friends online, and he works in a really nice restaurant over in Callahan.” I spoon anotherhelping of gumbo into my mouth. “I could reach out, see if they cater, and ask if he’d be interested in helping out some old friends.”
“That sounds perfect, actually,” Evan replies. “Thanks, Mellie. Let me know if you get in touch with him and send him our contact info.”
“I will! I’ll message him tomorrow.” I take another bite and almost swoon. “Seriously, what did you put into this? This shouldn’t even be legal. This gumbo is so good, I want to marry it. Maybe I’ll ask Beck to cater my wedding—to this gumbo.” I point my spoon at Evan. “You can be my best man as a thank you for cooking me this delicious dinner.”
“You seriously are the biggest dork I’ve ever known,” Evan replies.
Chapter Twenty
MELLIE
FOURTEEN YEARS OLD
I’m dying.
This is what it feels like to die. It has to be, because I cannot take another minute of this overwhelmingly horrifying pain. My lower abdomen feels like it is simultaneously on fire but also being stabbed by a hundred knives all at once.
This is womanhood, or so they say.
Womanhood can screw right off.
My first period came by surprise two days ago. I’ve been expecting it for some time seeing as how I’m turning fifteen in five months and all the other girls my age already got theirs years ago. Nothing prepared me for how awful it is, though. None of my friends warned me about period cramps, the new bane of my existence. What a bunch of jerks, all of them.
