Lucy, Olive might not want to feel like everyone is watching her
Oh god. I could only imagine what people were saying about my terrible dancing skills.
Summer
They said you two looked adorable together, by the way.
Olive
I’m sure that’s not the only thing they said, but thank you. Lars is taking me out tonight
Lucy
I will be screening his date plans, don’t worry!!!! Operation Obtain Sister is underway!!
I snorted and worked on making a cup of coffee to go with what remained of my chocolate croissant. I was excited to get some alone time with Lars, but there was still the question of Finn. He’d been on edge the whole time I’d been in the service room yesterday, even though he’d said he didn’t want me to leave. I had forgiven him for the movie theater situation and his pretending not to know me the next day… mostly. But the main issue now was that I wasn’t convinced he wanted to court me. It was so obvious these three were a pack. I was the outsider, the one who would be abandoned if Finn decided he didn’t want me.
I boosted myself up on the counter, leaning my back against the cabinets as I sipped my coffee, wishing it was one of those fancy coffee shop lattes. One day, I would have the money to buy one as oftenas I wanted.
My phone vibrated.
Lucy
Ahhhhh there was a small electrical fire at my moms’ house!
Summer
What??? Is everyone ok?
Lucy
Yeah, it’s contained and Lars is over there now to look at the electrical.
Ivy
Oh no, that’s so scary. You ok?
Lucy
Yeah. I have appointments coming up in the shop but as soon as those are done, I’m going to head over. I guess Isla was in the laundry room when it started and she’s pretty shaken.
My heart lurched. I hated this for Lars—he was so close to his family. I chewed my lip and wished there was something useful I could do. A very small part of me was sad Lars had left without saying goodbye, but that was such a stupid, needy thought. I was better than that. I was from a fishing family. We were strong, resilient, and got shit done, especially when someone was in need.
I pulledthe cookies out of the oven. Last time I’d been in Mariposa Market, I’d splurged on some half-priced slice-and-bake cookie dough. I was a horrendous cook and baker, but these seemed pretty foolproof.
I poked one. How did I know it was done?
I stared at them while waiting for them to cool before putting them in a small tupperware I’d found in the cabinet. I wondered if I should tell Easton and Finn that I was leaving, but if I didn’t go now, I would give into my anxiety and chicken out. I headedoutside to my bike, where Felix was once more curled up in the basket.
“I’m going to need that.” I held up the cookies as if he would understand what I was saying.
Felix stretched and hopped out of the basket, rubbing himself against my legs.
I crouched down, petting his ears. “Is this stupid?” I asked, my voice a low whisper. “Is it going to be creepy if I just show up at his family’s home?” I’d gotten the address from Lucy when I’d still felt confident about this idea. “He’s probably busy. I’ll just be in the way.”
Felix batted at my leg, pushing me towards the bike.
“Okay, okay. I guess I’ve already made the cookies. I wouldn’t want them to go to waste. I can just drop them at the door and run away.” I nodded to myself as I put the cookies in the basket and got on the bike. “Yep, that’s what I’ll do.”
