I smile at him, and he smiles back. We stand there, the space between us shrinking, the air growing thick with something uncertain. This is the part where I’m supposed to pull out my phone, exchange numbers with him, pick a day, a time… or is that his move? If I asked him out, does that mean I need to organize the date? Is it a date, or did I make it too casual? Maybe I should have been clearer. The weight of the silence presses down on my chest, making it hard to breathe, when a piercing squeal cuts through the moment. My head whips around to where the sound came from just in time to see a child running down the aisle toward us. Xavier spots what’s about to happen before I do, and with a quick, sure grip on my elbow, he pulls me aside in time. The kid zooms past, his mom following after him, calling out apologies as she tries to catch up. We both quietly laugh, the tension breaking.
“I, uh… I’d better get going,” I say, hooking my thumb over my shoulder toward the counter, hoping my voice doesn’t sound as shaky as I feel.
“Of course, I don’t want to keep you from your plans,” he says, handing the wine and berries back to me.
Spinning on my heel, I take off toward the counter before he can say another word. Fingers fumbling with my card, I pay quickly, then grab the bag. I’m out the door in a blur, the late afternoon sun blinding me slightly before I practically run back to my car. I slide into the driver’s seat, dumping the bag beside me and leaning my head back against the headrest, taking in a long breath.What in the awkward hell was that?
The girls are going to have a field day with this one when I tell them later. I lean forward, clumsily slotting the key into the ignition, my mind still spinning. A shadow shifts into my peripheral vision, and I jump, my heart fallinginto my stomach as a tap sounds on my window. Turning the key, the car starts with a quiet purr, and I lower my window, locking eyes with Xavier’s.
“Holy shit, you scared me,” I let out a slow breath, my hand flying to my chest.
He grins. “Sorry, I tried yelling, but you must have been in your own world.”
He reaches out, passing me a folded piece of paper. My brows pinch as I take it from him.
“It’s my number. Call me when you want to go to that dinner.”
I glance down at the paper, unfolding it. His number is scrawled across the ripped page with a smiley face under it. My eyes lift to find him already backing away, but he catches me looking and gives a casual wave, that damn confident smirk still playing at the corner of his mouth.
I shake my head, trying to fight back a smile, and slip my car into reverse. I need to get home. I need to get comfy, and I need my girls and this wine.
Shoving the couch back against the wall, I nudge the coffee table to the side, creating as much space as possible. Then I run down the hall to my old room, scooping up every spare pillow and blanket I can find. The girls will be here any second. I want everything cozy and set up, ready with enough space to crash in case there’s one too many wines tonight. With my arms overflowing, blocking my line of sight, I stumble my way back down the hall, nearly tripping over my own feet. I dump the pile onto the floor, spreadingout the giant cushion pillows from the couch, throwing the bed pillows on top, and scattering the blankets in every direction until it feels just right.
A soft knock pulls me from my fussing, and I run over, my fluffy socks sliding on the wooden floor. Swinging it open, I find Tessa standing there, juggling multiple bags.
“You’ll never believe what I did this afternoon,” I blurt, the heat rushing to my cheeks.
She arches a brow, stepping inside and thrusting one bag into my hands. “Why hello to you too,” she sings, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Snickering, I take the bag of snacks and lean in, giving her a quick side hug. The familiar scent of her floral shampoo wraps around me. Her long strawberry blonde hair falls in soft waves down her back, her hazel eyes light up in curiosity as she holds up another bag, shaking it at me.
“We’re gonna circle back to that,” she tells me as I lead her through the house to the kitchen. “But before I forget, I have face masks for tonight.”
“And I have berries so we can make wine slushies,” I add, unloading the bags onto the counter.
Tessa gasps dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. “You know the way to my heart, girl.” She laughs, the sound echoing off the walls.
Tessa grew up here in town, like I did. We went to school together, and unlike all our other classmates who moved on to the big city lights and well-known colleges, we stayed. The small town life was a part of us. Neither of us ever wanted it any other way. She’s the calm to my fire, and I’m the spontaneity to her cautiousness. She’s the early riser, I’m the night owl. When Halle arrived in town, it felt instant, like we’d found the missing piece to our group. With her, itwas easier, more balanced. And honestly? Having another girl around in our little family was nice. Less stinky armpits and all that.
“So, what time’s Halle getting here?” Tessa asks.
I pull down Mom’s favorite charcuterie board, lining up the crackers with maybe too much precision. Beside me, Tessa begins unwrapping the wedges of brie and cheddar.
“Soon, she’s just… catching up with you-know-who quickly,” I say.
“You mean the one we don’t text, call, speak of, think of, dream of?—”
“Yeah, yeah,” I cut her off, my lips pursing as I snap a cracker in half. “You made your point.”
Tessa giggles. “Okay, too soon.”
Abandoning the cheese, she reaches for a bottle of wine and pours two glasses of red. The rich black cherry scent fills the kitchen as she hands one to me.
“Let’s fill you with wine before we get to the juicy stuff.”
“You’ve been waiting for this all day, haven’t you?” I clink my glass with hers, taking a slow sip.
“No…” she drawls out, taking a sip of her own.
