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"Olga, it was a last-minute trip. This is Aurora," he said, his voice filled with… affection?
She said something, but my eyes were locked on his. We were staring at each other again, and hell only knew what happened when we got lost in each other like this. He leaned forward, his eyes focused on my lips, and I bounced towards the counter. Sure, hate sex was one thing, but this, whatever it was, it was too much.
"Everything looks so good," I said, fake excitement threaded through my voice.
She was looking at me like I was a little strange, but that was okay. I was strange.
"They have one that tastes just like that Girl Scout cookie you love," he said, pointing towards a container labeled ‘Samoa Dream.’
It did look yummy.
"I'll get a scoop of that," I said—
"Make that two scoops of that," Stellan interjected. I gave him a mock glare.
Olga giggled, sounding much younger than her appearance suggested. Just then, a handsome, wrinkled man stepped out from the back. His snow-white hair matched hers perfectly.
He walked over to her and kissed her softly on the cheek, and I watched in awe at the look they gave each other. Stellan's fingers brushed against mine, and when I looked at him, I knew it was all over my face. My yearning.
I’d wanted this so fucking bad when we were younger. For Stellan to be my boyfriend, for him to take me out for ice cream. I wanted the love story I was seeing in front of me. How had I gotten so far away from it?
Even though the answer was imprinted in my skull, I still couldn't get rid of the yearning.
The man smiled at us before shuffling into the back room without a word. Evidently, he didn't recognize Stellan like his wife did. Olga hummed to herself as she scooped our cones. Stellan had ordered mint chocolate, but as soon as Olga gave me my cone, he leaned over and took a giant bite out of mine—to my horror. After ringing us out, she came around the counter and gave Stellan a hug.
"Don't be a stranger, boy.” She turned towards me. “Keep him in line,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.
I smiled weakly and nodded. I didn’t think stabbing him in the dick was what she had in mind when saying that.
Stellan winked at her, and this time, he did grab my hand as he led me out of the shop.
"What's the story behind that?" I asked as we walked down the sidewalk, nodding my head at the shop we’d just left behind.
Stellan smiled fondly as he licked at his ice cream cone, way too sensually in my opinion. Like, I knew he was good with his tongue. He didn’t need to try and convince me.
"I found this place after Sophia disappeared. One day I was just walking around town aimlessly, trying to avoid all the spots that reminded me of her, and this place had just opened up. I don't even know why I went in. I definitely wasn't in the mood for ice cream. But when I walked in, Olga started chattering away at me. Telling me her and her husband's life story. Obviously, she could tell that I was upset, but she just kept talking and gave me a sample of every flavor they had in stock. And a couple days later, I found myself back. I'd visit at least once a week until I left for school."
My heart was melting at the story, and I didn't know what to say, so instead, I just squeezed his hand, just once, to let him know that I understood.
"Let's go sit by the fountain in the park," he offered, and I nodded, lost in thought, trying to imagine what Stellan had been like in those months after Sophia disappeared.
The little town had tried to reach for the stars with this park. It was modeled like Central Park in New York, with large trees everywhere, and a pathway that wound its way around a small lake. It had always been one of my favorite places, and I couldn't help but smile and breathe deeply as we walked our way down the winding path.
We’d gotten about half a mile in when I heard the low hum of voices, like a large crowd was gathered just up ahead. Stellan and I exchanged questioning glances, but we kept on walking.
I regretted that a minute later, when we turned a corner and there they were. At least fifteen of my father's most faithful fan club. How were they everywhere?
"We've gotta get the fuck out of here," I whispered to Stellan as I began to back away slowly.
But of course, because nothing ever went my way, one of them happened to turn and spot us. I watched as her eyes widened as she recognized me. Obviously, at this point, my new face had been plastered everywhere online, so it was likely as recognizable as my old one had been.
"Delilah!” she screeched, catching the attention of the crowd around her. They all turned, almost as one, quite the creepy sight.
I wasn't sure whether to take off sprinting or wave and try to play nice and just pray that they weren't at their extreme level of craziness today. She hustled towards me, and I ripped my hand away from Stellan's, one of my hands drifting to my pocket where my knife was. I needed to be prepared just in case she launched herself at me.
"You visited your father recently! Is he going to get out soon? Did he tell you of his plans? Are you ready to take over?" The questions launched from her mouth, making me feel woozy and a bit sick inside. Looks like another meal today was going to be ruined. And also, how did these people literally find out everything that had to do with my father? I couldn't imagine what kind of job it was for you to stake out a prison every day just in case a visitor stopped by. It's not like I had announced to their little group where I was going that day.
"My father was doing well, but I don't think he'll be getting out anytime soon," I responded politely.
