Page 67 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
“You ready to go home?” he asked, reaching for her hand.
Melody swallowed.Home.She was well past ready to be home and only just now realizing it.
* * *
Last time Melody had come to the women’s prison, she’d been on edge and nervous to see her old friend. Today she was just excited. She and Liz took a seat and waited for Bri to join them.
Melody put her arms out in front of her on the picnic table, the bracelet catching the bright sunlight and making it sparkle slightly. “I can’t wait to show Bri the new charms we’ve added,” Melody told Liz.
“I can’t wait to let Bri wear it once she’s out. It’s not right that she hasn’t gotten a turn yet.”
Melody glanced over. “Want to drive on the way back?”
Liz’s eyes rounded comically. “On the highway? No, I don’t think I’m ready for that.”
Melody smiled as she fidgeted absently with the charms. Then Bri was standing at the head of their table. She’d snuck up on them without them seeing her.
“Hey, you two. What are you chatting about?” She plopped down on the bench across from them.
“I was asking Liz if she wanted to drive back,” Melody said.
Bri looked at Liz. “Really? I thought you were just sticking to your neighborhood right now.”
“I am.” Liz rolled her eyes. “Baby steps, okay? I’m not driving home.”
Melody shared a look with Bri. “How are you?” she finally asked.
“Counting down the days. It’s less than thirty now.” Bri tipped her face up to the sun, closing her eyes for just a moment. She sucked in an audible breath. “Ah, I can practically smell my freedom.”
“And your lifetime supply of free bites from The Bitery?” Liz asked.
“Mmm. So, how are you two doing? What is it that you’re not telling me in our daily messages?” Bri’s gaze bounced between them.
“Well,” Melody said, “I’m going to prom.”
Bri straightened into a more upright position. “What?”
“Christopher West is chaperoning the high school’s prom like he does every year, and he asked me to join him,” Melody clarified.
“Like on a date?” The corners of Bri’s lips curled into a small smile. “You’re dating Christopher?”
“No.” Melody quickly shook her head. “I mean, I guess it’s kind of a date. But it’s also me helping out with chaperoning the kids.”
“Of all the people to choose to chaperone, they ask a person who doesn’t even live in Trove anymore? No. Not buying that.” Bri lifted a brow and looked at Liz. “You’re going too?”
“Oh, no way. You couldn’t drag me to prom with a bribe of a million dollars. Not happening.”
“Why is that?” Bri asked, her dark brows furrowing, making a little divot between her eyes.
Liz’s expression wilted. “You seriously have to ask?”
“Because of what happened to us?” Bri asked. “That’s why you’re not going?”
Liz nodded. “Isn’t that enough of a reason?”
“I thought you were facing your fears this summer,” Bri pressed. “You’re driving. You’re going to tell your mom you don’t want to run The Bitery once she’s back in the country. You’re making plans for your own photography business.”
“Going to prom is different.” Liz looked down at her interlocked hands.
