“I know, Mom.” I know exactly how good he is. I just hope to make him see there’s good in me too.
I stand and she joins me, giving me another hug.
“You’ll make it right. I know you will.”
“I hope so.”
“You have to. It’s fifty miles to another store even half as good as his.” She’s smiling, but I understand how awkward it will be for her going back into his store now.
First I collect a couple of cinnamon rolls from The Roll. I’m aware it’s the same tactic I used last Saturday, but it seemed to help a little back then and I didn’t get to eat mine. When I walk through the door of the store, I can see it is empty of customers. It’s just Holden and Clara, who seem to be having a heateddiscussion behind the counter. I walk over slowly, giving them time to realize I’m here. I reach them and put the rolls down, and Holden spins to face me, his green eyes dark with anger and disappointment.
“I said I’m sorry,” Clara says and he swings back to face her. “If I could change it, I would. But I can’t. And if I don’t turn up, I’ll lose my job. That’s partly why we’re short staffed as it is.”
“I know, but this weekend ... Urgh!” Holden exclaims.
“What’s the problem?” I ask and they both turn to face me.
Holden runs a hand through his hair. It’s a sign of frustration but I find it endearing. I drag my eyes from the gesture and concentrate on what he’s saying.
“I-I have a viewing planned for tomorrow. It’s for another store, over in Charlotte. It’s a six-hour round trip and Clara was c-coming with me to share the driving. I’ve never driven that far on my own before. I-I don’t want to do it alone, and I also want her opinion on the store. But she has to work.” His voice turns to a sigh at the end of his speech.
“I’ve been called in for an extra shift,” Clara explains with an apologetic shrug.
I look between them, an idea forming.
“I could come with you,” I suggest.
No one says anything for a full minute.
“You don’t have to suddenly leave for England again?” His voice holds an icy tone, which I want to unpack at some point but now is not the time.
“No. I’m not doing anything at the moment and I’d be happy to help.”
“I don’t know,” Holden says with a little wariness.
“I think it sounds perfect,” says Clara, smiling because she’s off the hook. “And he brought cinnamon rolls again.” She flashes me a grin. “I’ll make some coffee,” she says, disappearing into the back. I wait for Holden to respond. It’s his decision.
“Okay, if you’re sure,” he says, with a frown that looks like he’s still not wholly convinced, and I don’t blame him.
“Yes, I am. Like I said, I want to help.” Not to mention it’ll be the perfect opportunity for me to talk to him and apologize properly.
“Okay, t-thanks,” he says, his voice still sounding uncertain.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Holden
This is a bad idea. Ever since Reece offered to help yesterday, I’ve been bouncing between extremely grateful and thinking this is the worst idea of my life. I’m currently in the bad idea phase of that process. It’s only the thought that I’m not going to get another opportunity like this for several months that’s prevented me calling it off. Clara sees no problem in it, but I think that’s because it solved the problem for her neatly. Sometimes I do wonder about the motives of my best friend.
I glance over at Reece. Neither of us has spoken since we left Gomillion twenty miles ago. He seems wrapped up in his own thoughts. I sigh and feel Reece’s gaze on me.
“I knew this was a bad idea.”
“In what way?” he asks.
“We have nothing in common, w-we can’t even hold a conversation.”
“Sure we have.”
