16. How Bobby Got His Groove Back
16
How Bobby Got His Groove Back
Corner Books’ book club consists of a broad range of people. Some, like the woman with the shaved head, leather vest, and tattoos are more unexpected than others. Another woman in sweats tells me she’s a housewife and nothing in any book can be more graphic than childbirth. I take her word for it and don’t clarify that’s not the meaning of graphic novel .
Cindy slips in but only stays long enough to compliment the décor and turnout.
Mya is setting up coffee and pastries when Luke comes up beside me and whispers in my ear, “We have a problem.”
He takes me by the arm and leads me to the back, where Jerome is struggling to get on a pair of furry pants way too small for him.
“They sent a kid’s costume,” Jerome says.
I grab the packaging and turn it over in my hands. “No. I confirmed with Little Elm’s costume store before they dropped off. We were supposed to get a D&D-style quester. This is a faun. Where are the horns?”
Jerome slides a headband on with two pink goat horns that bobble.
“You were supposed to be dressed like a character from the book to ask Mya out in that loosely sounding ye olden time English. You’re going to look ridiculous without the proper horns.”
“He was going to look ridiculous anyway.” Luke pulls out his phone. “Call the costume store and have them drop off something more appropriate.”
“They’re closed,” I say.
“Can’t you get ahold of someone? I thought you knew everyone in town.”
“If I did, don’t you think I’d be calling already?” I start to pace.
“How does Little Elm even keep a costume store alive?” Luke asks.
“We have a very active LARP community. And that’s not a question for right now.”
Luke quietly asks Jerome, “Is this another thing I ask you if it’s for real and you say yes and I don’t believe you but then I Google it and you’re right?”
“Why would I make it up?” I snap. “Do I seem like I’m in a joking mood?”
Jerome grabs me by the shoulders. “Dude. Pull yourself together. Mya’s out there. I need your magic. What’s the plan B?”
But I don’t have a plan B. I’ve always been right when it comes to romance. Or I was. Then I got thrown off. I start to breathe heavily. I can’t be wrong again.
“Toss me your car keys,” Luke commands Jerome. Luke spins me to face him. “Stall Mya.”
“But I don’t have another plan,” I say.
“You’ve got me.” Luke snatches Jerome’s keys out of the air without turning away from me. “I’ve got an idea.” He pivots me toward the front of Corner Books and gives me a small push before he leaves, pulling Jerome through the back door.
I take a deep breath and plaster a smile onto my face. “Mya!” I call across the crowded store. She’s heading toward the front door with Uncle Andy. “The food looks amazing!”
Mya shrugs. “It’s only cake and cookies.”
“Stay for the meeting,” I say as I reach her. “You’d add a lot to the conversation.”
Mya fluffs her tight spiral curls. “Another time. I’m beat after my shift. You can tell me about it over your next macchiato.”
“Are you sure because—”
“Let the girl go home,” Uncle Andy cuts in. He hands Mya a white envelope. “There’s extra in there as a token of thanks.”
“I really think you’d enjoy the evening …” I begin again, but Mya is already halfway out the door.
Mya steps out onto the sidewalk and I hurry after her, ignoring Uncle Andy asking me where I’m going and reminding me the book club starts any minute.
I stop just outside of Corner Books. Jerome is under the festival banners and buntings decorating the street, playing the opening cords of A-ha’s “Take On Me.”
Mya stops as Jerome plays. Her expression turns from exhaustion to something soft as she watches him. Her gaze doesn’t leave his as she taps her foot to the beat.
When he’s done, Mya claps with the rest of the crowd that has come outside from Corner Books to listen to the impromptu wordless serenade.
Luke steps to Mya’s side from wherever he was watching and whispers something in her ear. She walks toward Jerome and speaks to him. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but when Mya hands Jerome her phone, I gasp, clasping my hands together, and then clap. The crowd joins in.
“Book club time,” Luke says, opening Corner Books’ door wide. “Let’s get the conversation going.”
The crowd reenters the store.
Jerome reaches Luke as I do.
“We’re going out next week.” Jerome beams. “I knew bringing Bobby into the game would work out.” He claps Luke and I on our shoulders. “I’m going to put my guitar back in the trunk of my car, then join the book club. I’ll need something to talk about on our date.”
Before Luke heads back inside, I grab his forearm. “Why that song?”
Luke shrugs with his eyebrows. “The music video with the comic panels. It’s all I could think of.”
I keep my hand on his arm. “I have to know. What did you say to Mya?”
“The truth. My roommate likes her and he’s been too shy to let her know before tonight.”
I smack his bicep. “What is wrong with you? No one is ever direct about their feelings. Your amateur move could have blown the whole thing.”
“I know,” Luke says. “Serenades are the worst. Imagine having to stand there awkwardly pretending you’re not wishing it would end already. I should have thought it out better, but Mya seemed to like it.”
I shake my head. “Serenades are romantic.”
“They’re torture. Like being musically waterboarded.”
I groan. “At least your bad attitude didn’t stop you from being a decent sidekick, love Grinch.”
“Damn straight,” Luke says. “Good thing I decided to keep my eye on you. I pulled your ass out of the fire tonight.”
I shove Luke in front of me into Corner Books. Not as I planned, but I daresay my groove is on its way back.