Page 28 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
Melody visibly swallowed. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I mean, no, it’s not okay. But, well, it’s the past and there’s no sense dwelling on things that can’t change, right?” Even though Liz dwelled all the time. What she meant was that there was no point in holding a grudge. It did no one any good, least of all her.
A long, uncomfortable silence floated between them. Then Melody suddenly perked up.
“Hey, look at this.” She walked over to grab her purse from behind the glass counter and reached inside, pulling out a tiny silver charm.
Liz leaned over to inspect it more closely. “A firework charm? Where did you find that?” she asked with a growing smile.
“It was donated the other day. Well, a jewelry box was donated and I found this tucked inside. I thought it should be added to the bracelet. What do you think?”
Liz laughed. “Yes, it definitely should be added. That is so bizarre.”
“Right?”
Liz watched as Melody pried the metal circle of the charm open with her nails and attached it to one of the bracelet’s loops.
“There.” When she was done, Melody dangled her arm in the air proudly to show off the bracelet’s addition.
“Perfect.” Liz took a moment to admire the bracelet. Then she turned to look around the store, different and the same as when Jo had run it. “I know you have a big job with this place. What can I help you with?”
Melody shrugged. “Nothing that can be done in one afternoon. I met with Abigail Winslow on Friday. She said that if I wanted to get good market value on this place, I needed to clean it out completely.”
Liz shouldn’t be surprised that Melody was planning to sell. “I see. Well, I don’t mind coming in and helping one day after work. We could go through these things and maybe catch up while we’re at it.” Liz couldn’t believe she’d just said that. She was supposed to be guarding her heart, and instead she was suggesting a girls’ night of sorts before Melody disappeared on her again.
“Really?”
“Yeah. I mean, I usually spend my nights being disrespected by my sister these days. And working at my computer.”
“I’m glad you’re still into photography. Taking pictures was always something you loved to do.”
Liz had enjoyed taking photographs of her friends the most. Somewhere in the last decade, she’d run out of people to strike a pose for her and she’d started taking more scenic photos. “So do you want me to stop in one night after work?”
“I won’t turn down help,” Melody said. “I’ll even bring wine.”
“In that case, I’ll bring some bites from the bakery. Something chocolatey.” Liz caught herself smiling.What am I doing?She needed to be careful. Melody had been very clear that her intention was to leave Trove again and there was no indication that she’d return, at least not for another decade. And when Melody left, she was gone. From past experiences, Liz knew Mel didn’t call or text.
A tiny voice in Liz’s head argued that maybe this time they’d keep in touch though, if they reconnected while Melody was here. Perhaps they could message back and forth like Liz and Bri did on a near daily basis. And they could continue passing the bracelet between them. They could add charms the way they were supposed to, filling it up just like Alyssa had intended when they were teens.
“Hey, since you’re here, let’s pick out an outfit for you,” Melody suggested. “I had such a good time shopping earlier. It’s your turn. I’ve got to get rid of all this stuff anyway. You might as well take first pick of what you want.”
“Really?” Liz glanced around the store. Now that Melody had cleaned up a little bit, the things were more enticing.
“Yeah. Let’s pick out something fun for you.”
Liz felt the pull of excitement. “Okay.” She nibbled on her lower lip. “But I can’t stay long. I don’t like to ride my bike after it gets too late.”
Melody waved a dismissive hand. “I can put the seat down and fit your bike in the back of my car. I’ll drive you home. No need to rush things. We have all the time in the world.”
Somehow, Liz doubted that.
* * *
An hour later, Liz felt ridiculous and amazing at the same time. She was carrying a bag full of clothes that Melody had picked out for her at Hidden Treasures. She felt a little giddy at the thought of wearing the clingy black dress that Melody had insisted was made for her. When was she ever going to wear a little black dress like that one? She’d also picked out leggings, tight jeans, and fitted tops—some with necklines that plunged lower than she was used to.
She unloaded her bike from the back of Melody’s car and then waved as Melody reversed out of the driveway. Liz walked her bike into the garage first and then carried her bag of new-to-her clothes up the front porch. It was almost six o’clock. Rose would be closing The Bitery right about now. Then it was a ten-minute drive here. If Liz was smart, she’d hide these clothes before then because they were so cool that Rose very well might want to take them for herself.
That thought gave Liz another little thrill. Imagineherhaving something that Rose might actually find cool.
