Page 79 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
A silky piece of lavender fabric stuck out from the middle of the pile. There were simple clear-colored rhinestones attached to the hem that made Melody’s heart quicken. She’d been keeping her eye out for the perfect dress for Liz, just knowing that it would magically show up. Maybe it was silly of her to think that Jo was arranging for used items to be dropped off to Hidden Treasures that were just Liz’s size and in like-new condition.
Melody didn’t breathe as she reached toward the silk piece.
“Need help?” someone asked from behind her.
Melody nearly jumped out of her skin, whirling to face Christopher. “How did you get in here?”
“You left the front door open. I just walked in. I thought you heard me enter.”
Melody shook her head as she drew a hand to her chest. “No.”
“Sorry to startle you. I was just stopping in on my way to the post office. I’m shipping some things out for my mom.” He grimaced. “She’s gotten into online shopping. I’m returning a few hundred-dollars’ worth of stuff she doesn’t need. Like a lava lamp. She has no idea what a lava lamp even is.”
Melody smiled. “Well, if she really wants one, I have one here that she can have.”
Christopher chuckled. “Probably a lot cheaper too. Do you need help with this stuff?”
Melody sighed. “No. I just pulled it in from out back. I’ll go through this stuff little by little. The sign out back—or the one that was out back—doesn’t seem to deter folks from donating.” She gestured to a box of flashlights that had been dropped off. “Got any use for these?”
He leaned against the counter that ran along the wall. “We could use them at prom. Instead of looking for dark spots to make out with our dates, we’ll be the ones shining flashlights on those dark spots and telling the kids to break it up.”
Melody gave him a small laugh.
“You think I’m kidding? These kids are way more advanced than we were at their age. They know things that I’m still not quite sure I know about even now.”
This made Melody laugh. It also made her wonder more about Christopher’s love life. “Liz said you’re a hot commodity around the isle.”
“A hot commodity?” he repeated, lifting his brows.
“Handsome, single guy. With a job. Those are all very important to thirty-somethings.”
“Well, you’re a beautiful, single woman. With a job. Two jobs actually. At least at the moment. Are you a hot commodity in Charlotte?”
Melody shrugged. “I don’t have a whole lot of time for dating. At least I haven’t in a while. I can’t say I miss it. It’s not all that fun in my opinion.”
“Then you’re not doing it right. Or the shmucks who’ve been taking you out haven’t been doing it right.” His gaze hung on hers for a moment. If she were staying any length of time, she might wish Christopher would show her how dating was done right.
Melody looked down at the pile of clothes in front of her. “I was actually about to look at one of these donated items that caught my eye.” She pulled the clothing that sat on top of the silky lavender fabric and set it in a second pile. Then she lifted a long gown with simple rhinestone accents that decorated the chest. “It’s breathtaking,” she finally said.
“Yes, it is. It would look amazing on you.”
Melody lifted her gaze, flattered by the compliment. “It’s not for me. It’s for Liz.” She checked the size on the tag. “It’s a perfect fit for her.”Thank you very much, Jo.
“I still can’t believe you got her to come with us,” Christopher said.
“It wasn’t me. It was your friend Matt. I can’t believe it either. It’ll be good for us though. A full-circle moment.”
“Those are the best.” He dipped and pulled a He-Man figurine from the pile, seeming to inspect it thoughtfully as he continued talking. “You going with me to chaperone prom feels like one of those moments. I had such a thing for you back in the day. I wanted to ask you out, but I didn’t want to be rejected. ”
Melody’s cheeks flushed hot. “I had no idea.”
“That’s why I couldn’t say yes to Alyssa. I didn’t want to hurt her, but I only had eyes for you.”
Melody wasn’t sure how to respond, bewildered that she had totally missed his affection during their teenage years. She had never given Christopher any thought back then because she’d known how much Alyssa liked him. You don’t go after your sister’s crush. It ultimately never would have worked between Alyssa and Christopher though. Alyssa was destined for Hollywood and Christopher was committed to Trove Isle.
“I’ve made things weird, haven’t I?”
“Only a little,” she teased. “I honestly didn’t know. You hid it well.”
