Page 85 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
“It matters to me.”
He reached for her hand, lifted it to his lips, and pressed a kiss across the back of her fingers. “I’ve always liked you, Liz. I don’t think that’s a secret. If we were to date, I would know exactly what I was getting into. I know you.” He smiled quietly at her. “Come on. Let’s go inside.”
Liz felt a whirlwind of conflicting emotions right now. She pushed her truck door open and stepped out onto the pavement, her legs akin to wet noodles in heels. In a quick second, Matt was beside her just like he’d promised he’d be tonight. Music could be heard coming from the gymnasium. The parking lot was mostly empty. Prom didn’t officially begin until seven-thirty. Chaperones were arriving first.
When Liz stepped through the gym’s door, Melody rushed her with a huge hug.
“You’re here!” she said, pulling back from the embrace to look Liz over. “And you look amazing!”
Liz looked Melody over as well. “So do you.”
“How was the trip here?”
Liz glanced over at Matt who was talking with Christopher. He’d told her he always liked her, which wasn’t a huge revelation but it was still nice to hear. “It was . . . well, we made it. I guess that’s all that really matters.”
Sadness flashed in Melody’s eyes. “We both made it this time.”
Liz looked down for a moment, pulling a deep breath into her lungs. They’d never made it to the first prom. Just the fact that they’d both gotten here felt like a small miracle. She looked back up at her friend and then around the room. “You really outdid yourself. The gymnasium looks fantastic.”
Melody smiled proudly. “It does, doesn’t it? I can’t help thinking about what I would have done differently if I were planning this event. A fairy tale theme has so much potential.”
“Maybe you’ll plan next year’s prom.” Liz looked at Melody hopefully. Some part of her was still hoping Melody would stay in Trove Isle. Her mind knew better than to hope for such things. Her heart couldn’t seem to help it though. It felt good having Melody home, like a long-lost piece of her had been put back into place. That would imply that Liz was broken without Melody, which wasn’t true. She was definitely better with her though.
“It would be difficult to plan a prom from a distance. I mean, I could if someone here was helping me carry out the decorating.” She looked at Liz. “Like you.”
“Me?” Liz laughed. “I’m not a decorator. I could perhaps volunteer to be the prom’s photographer next year. Maybe Bri will be your wingman.”
“Wow. Bri will be out this time next month.” Melody sighed as a happy smile enveloped her face, making her look even more beautiful tonight. “We’ll all have to come here together next year.”
There it was again. Melody was talking about being in Trove Isle. Liz knew it was just to visit, but there was a thread of something more there. There was just enough hope to keep Liz hanging onto her fantasy that all her friends would be together, just like the old days. All but one.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
MELODY
“Care to dance with
Melody looked at Christopher’s outstretched hand. Prom had been going on for about thirty minutes now. The gymnasium was full and loud. “Are chaperones allowed to dance? Shouldn’t we be watching?”
“We are watching. There’s no rule against watching while dancing.” He wiggled his fingers in a come-hither gesture. “Come on. Dance with me.”
As if on cue, a slow song started up through the speakers. It was a familiar tune that Melody couldn’t quite put her finger on. She turned to look for Liz to make sure she was okay. Liz was standing near the refreshment table talking to Rose and her date.
Finally, Melody slipped her hand into Christopher’s. His skin was warm and inviting against hers. They stepped onto the dance floor and Melody leaned in to his warm body as he drew her closer. She had the urge to lay her head on his chest, close her eyes, and disappear into the moment. They weren’t like that though, even if some part of her wished they were. Maybe in some other reality where she and Liz and Bri, and Alyssa, had actually made it to their own prom. If Melody hadn’t left Trove Isle when she was eighteen. If Alyssa had lived and her crush on Christopher had moved on to some other guy.
Christopher dipped his head to her ear so she could hear him, his breath tickling her exposed neckline. “What are you thinking about?”
She tipped her face back and looked at him. They were dangerously close. “What might have been, I guess.”
“You know what they say.”
She wrinkled her brow. “They say a lot of things. Which thing are you referring to?”
“Don’t look back. You’re not going in that direction.”
Melody smiled. “I haven’t heard that one before.” She paused. “Thanks for taking me here tonight. This is great.”
“You say that now. Last year, the kids spiked the punch and several prom-goers passed out. A couple barfed. Being a chaperone is not for the weak.”
