She gives me an inkling of a smile but then tries to hide it. I don’t have time to ask her about it before she’s answering my question. “I didn’t. She works at the library. That’s actually where I’m going now. She left her cake, so I was going to take it to her. I’ll be sure to tell her you enjoyed the packages she sent.”
She starts to walk past me, and I move in front of her, taking the bag and cup of coffee from her hands. “Wait. I’ll take it. I need to thank her myself, I think.”
Violet shrugs and hands over the items. “Sure. Thanks, Evan. It’s good to have you back.”
For the first time since I walked in, I give her a genuine smile. “Yeah, it’s good to be back.”
Sierra
What was I thinking? Did I really expect him to come back into town, see me, and just what—fall in love with me? I berate myself the whole way back to the library. I thought I was prepared. I could have made a joke about me helping him with English in high school or something like that. But instead I moaned out his name like he was touching me in my most private parts instead of just running into some guy I used to know in high school. My hand goes straight to my forehead. Oh my God, how embarrassing.
I make it back to the library in record time. I still have plenty of time left on my lunch break, but instead of sitting and reflecting on my embarrassment, I grab the book cart and start putting the books back on the shelves. Before I know it, twenty minutes have gone by, and my face is still heated just thinking about Evan.
My coworker is on lunch now, and when I hear the bells over the front door jingle, I walk out from the middle of the science fiction and fantasy section to see who it is. As soon as I spot Evan walking in, I jump back into place behind the shelves. Surely he didn’t see me. What is he even doing here? I rest my head on the shelf in front of me. Can this day get any worse?
Since I’m the only one working, I know I’m going to have to go back out there and see what he wants. I guess my time for being mortified is not over yet. I suck in a deep breath, then another one, pull my shoulders back, and walk out from behind the shelves again. I slowly walk to the counter where he’s standing.
Determined not to say his name again because who knows if I’m going to moan it again or what, I ask, “Can I help you find something?”
He holds out the cup and the bag in his hand. “Hey, Sierra. Violet was going to bring these to you, but I offered to do it. I hope that’s okay.”
I don’t have any choice. I’ll just make a scene if I turn down the things he brought. “Yes, of course, that was so nice of her... and you for bringing it. Thank you.”
I take the Styrofoam containers from him and walk around the back of the counter. I need to put space between us, that’s for sure. I set them down on the counter and clear my throat. “So yeah, uh, thank you again.” And I force myself not to say anything more. Why is it I can’t talk to him like a normal person?
“Yeah, you’re welcome. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you, but you don’t look anything like you did in high school.”
This time, there’s no way I can keep my face guarded because his words sting. I’m no longer the tiny girl I was in high school. Yes, I’ve gained weight, and obviously that’s the first thing he’s noticed. I hold up the bag that I’m sure has the cake in it. “Uh, yeah, I just can’t seem to turn down the cake. So I need to get back to work.”
I don’t even wait for him to respond. I turn my back to him and grab some books off the shelf behind me. I walk back around the counter and away from him, hoping he gets the hint and leaves.
3
Evan
I’m so stupid. That’s the only excuse I have. I’m used to dealing with the hard-edged men and women I served with. Obviously, I shouldn’t be out in public. Even though I went there with an apology in mind and to thank her for the care packages, I totally screwed that up. When I made the stupid remark about not looking anything like she did in high school, I meant it as a compliment even though now, I realize it would have been an offhanded one at that. But before I could right my wrong, I saw the tears well up in her eyes and the way she wanted far from me. There’s no way I was going to follow her and make an even bigger mess of it.
So what do I do? I tuck my head and walk back across the street to the office.
“How’d it go?” Sam asks.
“You don’t want to know.” I shake my head, remembering too late that he wasn’t asking about Sierra, he was asking about the quote for Violet. “I mean the quote is fine. I’ll drop it off this afternoon. Pretty cut and dried.”
I walk past him and drop into the desk next to his.
Sam is watching me, no doubt wondering if he should ask me what’s wrong or not. He’s been walking on eggshells ever since I got back, and even though I probably need to talk to someone about Sierra, I’m not ready to yet. I’m not entirely sure why
