Page 38 of Wanna Bet?

“I’m fine,” she said, though her voice came out quieter than she intended.

The lower level of the mall was noticeably calmer. Fewer stores open. Less foot traffic. The air felt cooler and more private.

Down here was the food court, filled with teens slurping on smoothies and eating ice cream. Myah’s stomach rumbled just as she spotted the pretzel stand she used to go to as a kid.

“How do you feel about pretzels?" Myah asked, wrapping a hand around Jace's bicep.

Holy shit, his arm is huge. Myah thought while looking down and admiring the muscle.

“Um…" Jace laughed, catching Myah's attention, “I don't feel a whole lot about them, I guess. It's just bread and salt."

Myah looked up at him, eyes wide and mouth hanging open. “Just bread and salt?" Myah’s hand slid from his arm down to his hand as she pulled him towards the stand.

There were lots of options: cinnamon & sugar, salt, even a Tajin one!

“Welcome to Patty’s Pretzel, what can I get for you today?" A bubbly voice spoke from behind the counter.

Myah looked up and saw a girl with long, curly brown hair and the most striking blue eyes she’d ever seen. The girl was beautiful, and looked oddly familiar.

“No way! Samyah?" The girl asked, leaning forward.

Myah was a little taken back. No one called her that but her dad, and everyone she knew before high school.

"Yeah? I'm sorry, have we met before?" Myah asked, not unkindly.

She was expecting the girl to look upset but instead her smile grew. Thank God.

“Anna Lopez! We went to school together, in like, elementary!" She pointed at her chest as if to signify that she was in fact Anna.

Myah suddenly remembered a little girl with unruly curls and missing teeth who would always hang out with her and a few other classmates. Anna was sweet, and silly.

“Oh, yes! I remember you! Didn't I marry you and that one kid on the playground?” Myah laughed at the memory.

"Married?” Jace asked, puzzled and clearly not keeping up.

"It's a long story," Anna smiled, “anyway, it's nice to see you! I have, like, no friends so seeing someone familiar is refreshing."

Anna grinned and then immediately frowned, looking like she regretted saying it.

So Myah did the only thing Myah knew how. "Can I have your number? I’m always looking for new girl friends to hang with!”

Myah was a girl’s girl. Anna looked shocked and then relieved as she pulled out her phone and handed it over. Jace watched as Myah typed in her number before handing Anna back her phone.

"I’ll get an original salty, with cheese, please." Myah smiled and looked at Jace.

“We’ll share." Jace said, offering Anna a gentle grin.

Anna nodded before grabbing a pretzel and cheese and handing it over. Jace paid, ever the gentleman, and Myah promised to text Anna as they walked away from the stand.

“That was crazy,” Myah said, dipping her pretzel into hot cheese before taking a bite, “I haven't seen her in years!”

Jace chuckled and gently took the pretzel from Myah, taking his own bite. Myah watched as Jace’s face lit up.

“Wait, that's a good ass pretzel.” Jace nodded his head and took another large bite.

Myah gasped before snatching the salty bread back and holding it away from the man, “I know.” She squinted her eyes in distaste at the man's large bites before smiling and turning to walk ahead.

They ducked into the bookstore mostly for the air-conditioning, but once inside, the quiet pressed in around them. It felt smaller than the rest of the mall, and far more intimate.