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I DROVE GRANDMA RAE’S Beetle to the mall and spent the next couple of hours searching for a formal dress. As flattered as I was to be asked to a dance, I was starting to have second thoughts about going out with Gus. There really wasn’t a spark there and I didn’t want to lead him on.
And what if he tried kissing me?
As I zipped up a sexy, black formal gown in the dressing room, I began to wonder if I’d made a huge mistake. Unfortunately, it was too late to cancel our date. I would just have to be frank with him about us staying friends.
My phone suddenly began to vibrate. I looked at the screen and saw that it was Kara. I’d mentioned to her that I was going to be shopping at the mall and knew the yogurt shop, where she worked, was somewhere in the building.
Kara: Are you still at the mall?
Me: Yeah. I’m trying on dresses.
Kara: Stop by when you’re done.
Me: Okay. Where are you?
Kara: Yogurt Bliss. In the food court.
Me: OK. SYS.
AFTER TRYING ON a few more dresses, I went with a short, dark blue, off-the-shoulder one with a lace bodice and chiffon skirt. I also purchased a pair of matching blue pumps that were on sale. Afterward, I headed to the yogurt shop. Fortunately, it wasn’t busy and Kara had time to talk.
“So, what did you buy?” she asked, noticing my bags.
I told her about Gus’s dance.
“Oh, God. Let’s hope the A-squaders don’t find out. You think they’re bad now...”
“Fuck them,” I said in a low voice. I was so over their bullying. “Actually, I hope they do find out, so I can tell them where to go.” I then told her about my encounter with Bruce and Tyler.
Her eyes widened. “You’re kidding?”
“No. He actually had me against the wall. He’s lucky the bell rang or he’d be singing soprano for the rest of his life.”
She chuckled. “I guess it doesn’t surprise me. Bruce is such a hothead. I heard that’s why he can’t keep a girlfriend. I’d watch out for him, though. He’s the type of person I could see showing up at school with an AK47 and going ballistic. There’s just something really off about him.”
The thought made me shudder. I hoped she was exaggerating.
“What about Mattie? Did she give you any more trouble today?”
“A little. Nothing I can’t handle,” I replied as customers starting getting into line. “I’d better let you get back to work.”
“Do you want any yogurt?” She lowered her voice. “It’s on me.”
I smiled. “Sure. I’ll take some birthday cake. Just a small one.”
“You got it.”
Ten minutes later, I was getting into my grandmother’s bug when my cell phone rang again. This time it was a woman from Herschel’s Diner, asking if I wanted to come in for an interview. Excited, I thanked her and we scheduled one for the following afternoon. As shitty as the day had started, things were starting to look up.
I DROVE BACK to the bait store, showed my grandmother my purchases, and was telling her about my interview, when Chase Adams walked into the shop. Although his eye looked worse than yesterday, I had to admit... he was still an incredibly good-looking guy, even banged up.
He was also an irritating, arrogant jerk, I reminded myself.
“Are you all settled in now?” she asked him.
“Yeah, thank you.” He looked at me and nodded. “Hey, Mackenzie.”
“Hi.”
Chase turned his attention back to my grandmother. “I was just on my way out to grab some food and was wondering if you needed anything.”
His offer surprised me.
Grandma smiled warmly. “Oh, how thoughtful of you. Actually, we’re going to be closing the shop soon. So, I’m good.”
“Okay.”
“Oh, before I forget—the store is armed with an alarm system. So, if someone tries breaking in, it will certainly go off. If that happens, whatever you do, don’t get involved. The police will be notified right away and they’ll take care of any intruders,” she told him.
“Sounds good. Have you had many break-in attempts?” he asked curiously.
“Not for a long time.” She reached under the counter and pulled out a rifle. “I think people know I’m not one to mess with.”
Chase nodded in approval. “Wow, have you fired it before?”
She nodded. “You’re darn tootin’ I have.”
His eyes widened in shock. “Have you shot anyone?”
“Oh, I shot toward someone, just trying to scare him. About twenty years ago I had this idiot try and rob me while I was opening up the shop. I can still picture that moment like it was yesterday.” She stared off into the distance. “He wore a black mask, a plaid shirt cutoff at the sleeves, and dirty jeans. The damn fool threatened me with a butcher knife.” She patted her gun. “I pulled this baby out and the guy thought I was bluffing. He didn’t think I had the nerve to fire the thing.” She grinned and winked. “I sure set him straight.”
I’d heard the story plenty of times and was still proud every time she told it.
“Did they ever catch the guy?” he asked.
“No. We think he was just passing through town. He rode off on a motorcycle and I haven’t seen him since.”
“I bet you scared the crap out of him,” Chase said.
“Hopefully.”
Chase noticed me putting my new dress back into the shopping bag. “Going to a dance?”
I groaned inwardly. I didn’t want him knowing anything about it.
“She is. She’s going to the Lancaster Charity dance this Saturday,” Grams answered for me.
Great. Just Great.
“What about you, Chase? Don’t you guys have a dance the following weekend?” Grandma said. “Sadie Hawkins?”
He nodded.
“I imagine you’re going with Mattie?”
He slipped his hands into his jean pockets. “Actually, no. I’m not.”
“Really? She hasn’t asked you?” Grandma replied. “I can’t imagine her missing a dance.”
I looked at her in surprise. I had no idea she knew Mattie.
“Not anymore. We’re just friends,” he murmured.
“Oh, well. You’re young. It’s good to play the field. Especially at this age,” she replied.
“Yeah. Well, I should get going. Have fun with Gus on Saturday,” Chase said to me.
“How did you know he was her date?” Grandma asked, looking surprised. “Are you two friends?”
“God, no.” His face turned red. “I mean, no ma’am. I just saw them together yesterday and assumed he’d asked her.”
Grandma looked at me. “You were with Gus last night? I thought you were just hanging out with your new friends from school.”
“We ran into each other,” I said, silently cursing Chase. “At Herschel’s.”
She relaxed. “Oh, okay.”
“Anyway, I’m off. Thanks again, Rae. I really appreciate you renting the studio to me.”
“You’re welcome. Let me know if you have any problems.”
“Will do.” He looked at me. “See you at school.”
I nodded.
Chase walked out of the shop.
“He seems like a nice kid,” Grandma Rae said. “Have you talked to him much?”
“No.”
“I hope I’m not making a mistake. I keep waiting for his father to call and cuss me out for renting to him.”
“You think he’d do that?”
“Who knows? I’d never suspected him of punching his kid either.”
“What if he’s lying to you about his dad?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No. I saw the look in his eyes when he told me. It’s the truth. The poor kid.”
It was hard for me to think of Chase as being a poor anything. He was tall and muscular enough to defend himself. Either his dad was bigger or he just didn’t want to fight back.
“Let’s close up,” Grams said. “I’m getting hungry. How about you?”
“Yeah.”
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