Page 76 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
“For someone who said she had nothing to cook, you sure know how to pull together something delicious,” he commented.
“You haven’t even tried it yet.” Liz cut him a slice and placed it on his plate.
“If it tastes as good as it smells, it’s the best I’ve ever had,” Matt said.
“No wonder you’re still in the friend zone. You’re trying to win my sister over by lying to her,” Rose said, sarcastically.
Matt didn’t even blink. “I’m not lying. I’m building her up whenever and wherever possible. The world does a decent enough job of tearing people down. Any guy worth his salt will guard against that.”
Liz noticed that he didn’t argue that he wasn’t trying to win her over. She placed a square of lasagna on Rose and Josh’s plates too. Then she placed some on her own plate and sat down. “Well, let’s taste and see.” She picked up her fork but waited for someone else to take the first bite.
“Mm. Delicious,” Josh said, sharing a glance with Matt.
Matt grinned. “There you go.” He looked at Rose. “You might have yourself a keeper there.”
“She’s only sixteen,” Liz objected. “She’s not allowed to have a keeper yet.”
Rose tasted the lasagna. “He’s right. This is pretty decent.”
“You’re my sister. You don’t have to worry about losing or keeping me,” Liz said.
“No, but I do want to build you up. And besides, it’s true. It’s better than Mom’s if you ask me. But don’t tell her I said so.”
Liz took a bite now and nodded. “Mm. Actually, you’re right. It is better than Mom’s,” she said—because there was nothing wrong with building herself up either.
* * *
The next day, Liz was trembling from head to toe. She’d shaken the entire drive from Trove Isle to the women’s prison. Pulling into an empty parking spot, she put the gear into PARK. Then she turned the key in the ignition and turned the car off, finally releasing a breath. “I did it!”
Melody laughed beside her. “Yes, you did.” She blew out a breath too, gaining Liz’s attention.
“You were nervous too?” she asked.
Melody grimaced and held her fingers an inch apart. “Just a tiny bit. You’re a new driver and we weren’t on backroads anymore. That was a tough drive. I’m proud of you.”
Liz shook out her hands. “I’m proud of me too.” She handed the keys over to Melody. “But you’re driving us on the way back home. That’s enough for me for one day.”
Melody dropped the keys in her purse. “And enough for me too.” She pushed her car door open and stepped out. “Let’s go see Bri.”
Liz pushed the driver’s side door open and stepped out as well, meeting Melody around the hood. Then they headed toward the expansive building in front of them. Liz had the bracelet on today. Melody had slipped it on her wrist before they’d set off.
“For luck,” she’d said.
It had given Liz a certain confidence during the drive over. She’d found herself glancing at it every time she felt her nerves getting the best of her. Then she’d taken a breath and continued forward.
“I can’t wait to tell Bri that I’m the one who drove us here.” Liz picked up her pace, matching Melody’s. They were both eager to see their friend. And soon they wouldn’t have to drive an hour just to visit with her. Soon Bri would be free and home where she belonged.
After checking in at the front and being led to an open area outside, the two of them sat down at a picnic table and waited for Bri to appear.
Liz rested her arms in front of her, letting the sun’s rays bounce off the charm bracelet.
Melody elbowed Liz. “Here she comes.”
Liz straightened and looked up, watching Bri draw closer. As she approached, Liz noticed the dark bruise around Bri’s left eye. “What happened?”
Bri’s smile was slow in coming. “It’s nothing.”
“It doesn’t look like nothing to me.” Melody leaned in closer to get a better look at Bri. “Did you get in a fight or something?”
