They had books raised over their heads as they followed Tyler down the staircase. Parents trailed behind, whispering their approval. As the noise vanished, I was left in the loft with Mabel. As her heels clacked against the hardwood, she threw an arm around my shoulders, towering like a giant.
“And you were scared.”
I gave a silent nod. I didn’t think Firefly was ready for a personality like Mabel Syrup, and?—
“Darling. Never doubt Mabel." I wish I could bottle her confidence. "Now stop being a coward and go chase your man-friend. If you don’t, I’ll see if he’s willing to climb?—”
“Simmer down, girl. I’ve got a plan.”
“Good boy.”
She lacked thegentlenudging of Firefly’s residents. They’d have attempted to be coy and kill me with kindness. Mabel lacked any semblance of subtlety, but she had a point. Seeing Tyler’s expression as the kids’ faces lit up was priceless. I wish I had my sketchpad. I knew exactly the portrait I wanted to draw and tuck away on his desk.
Mabel walked toward the stairs, and I— fell. I hadenough time to spot the wrinkle in the rug as I raced toward the floor. Thud. I listened to the camera on Mabel’s phone as she snapped a photo. She’d be on the phone with Amanda before the end of the night, commenting that my lack of grace extended beyond men.
I gave up and rested my head on the floor. “You go ahead. I’m just going to lie here and nurse my ego.”
“Better hurry.” She descended the stairs. “I’m not responsible for these wandering hands.”
Rolling onto my side, I checked for broken bones. I might be a klutz, but at least I wasn’t a danger to myself. I dug around in my pocket, pulling out my phone and breathing a sigh of relief. The screen remained intact. Might as well let everybody know I scored a man to fill one of the two remaining spots on the calendar.
Jon: Tony’s in
Jason: Tony?
Jon: If he says I hit on him, he’s lying.
Jason: Well, I’ll be damned.
Amanda: One more.
Amanda: Oh, and I doubt it’s a lie.
ON THE BIG SCREEN
Evie: You’re ditching me?
Jon: I’ll be back later, I promise.
Evie: Was this your strategy all along?
Jon: Hush. Go eat more pie.
“I didn’t even know this existed.”
“I think of it as a hidden gem.”
We were somewhere between Firefly and Merryville. Like everything else in this area of Maine, I doubted I’d find it on a map. We got out of the car, staring up at the massive, crumbling screen on the far side of the parking lot. I could only imagine Mimi in her younger years, sitting in the back of a pickup, watching old movies.
“Did you ever see movies here?”
I glanced over as he turned on a flashlight, lighting up the underside of his chin. He shook his head. “Before mytime. I always wished they’d bring it back. But I think Firefly is content with movies on the green.”
“This is so much bigger!”
“Size queen.” Maybe.
He stood in front of the car’s headlights, holding his hand out. I wouldn’t admit it out loud, but since our hookup at Spectrum, I had enjoyed the intimate gestures. As my fingers laced together with his, it reminded me of early boyfriends and how I read into every little action. I couldn’t put my finger on why, but Tyler made me nervous.
