I swallow the excess saliva in my mouth and force myself back into the present. “Answering your earlier question, even though she’s in great shape for her age, I don’t expect Aunt Iris to be at the roller rink.”
“For the record, she wasn’t bothering me at yoga. It’s … strange, having someone so much older hitting on me, but I guess it’s …flattering?”
“Thank you for being patient about it. If she gets to be too much, let me know.”
He nods once, his eyes on the road as he approaches an intersection, his mouth curving into a grin. “I can’t wait for Max to meet her.”
CHAPTER 29
MILES
At the roller rink, Callie takes on the task of welcoming people as they come in the entrance, and I stand by her side as she tells them where to get their skates and what time food will be available.
When her mom arrives, Callie stiffens, and it turns out to be with good reason.
“Callie … your hair?”
Callie’s hands go to where she has it twisted up, and she self-consciously tucks in loose pieces.
“That’s a child’s hairdo, isn’t it?”
“I … I thought it would be fun for this event.” The defeat in her voice is like a kick to my gut.
“I like it.” I pull one of the stray pieces back out and then gently trail the back of my knuckles along the side of Callie’s cheek, where her skin flushes at my touch. “A lot.”
“Hi, Max. Well, I’m glad you like it, but Callie, a sleek ponytail would have been much more becoming.” Callie looks up at meshyly as her mom continues. “How is everything going here so far?”
“Good,” Callie says after a hesitation. “People are having fun.”
From our post, we can see most of the rink, which is starting to fill up.
“Mr. Hargrove isn’t here, is he?” Now, Ms. Baker’s hand goes to her own hair, smoothing it down before fluffing the ends.
Callie shakes her head. “I haven’t seen him.”
“I don’t suppose this event will be his style. Mine either. I’m going to go check with the snack bar on the status of the food.”
“See you later, Ms. Baker.” I’m not feeling kindly toward Callie’s mom, but I play my role of courteous boyfriend, and channel some of my brother’s good manners.
More people come in as Ms. Baker walks away, and Callie gives them a friendly greeting, though it takes a while before she’s fully smiling again.
When it’s been a while since anyone has arrived, I check my watch. “Would you like me to get our skates from the counter?”
Callie bites her lip, looking adorable. “I don’t know … maybe I should check on the food and see if help is needed there.”
“I’m sure your mom has that covered.”
She fiddles with her hair, twirling one of those loose strands. “I should check with Sadie to see if she needs anything.”
Sadie and Adam are, in fact, skating hand-in-hand to the upbeat love song that’s blasting through the speakers, while their friends glide by all around them.
“Any other ideas for avoiding skating? You can do better than that.”
She scrunches her face, her lips twisting as she thinks. “Um …I have to make a phone call? I’m under doctor’s orders never to wear wheels on my feet? The sky is falling?”
“Come here.” I pull her into a hug that has nothing to do with appearances, and love how she feels against me, her soft curves melting into my chest, that messy hair tickling my chin.
“I’m going to make a fool of myself out there.”
