Chapter 26
Maren
“Ihave been looking forward to this all week,” Sadie yells from the bathroom. “Just give me a few more seconds, and I’ll be ready.”
“We’re going candle making, I highly doubt you are going to meet the love of your life today,” I tease her from the kitchen while I put the finishing touches on the coffee I’m making us for the walk over. By finishing touches, I mean sprinkling cinnamon on top of the honey before it melts.
“You never know, there could be a super hot, tall blond taking his mom to make candles for her birthday,” she insists, taking her to-go cup from my hand. “Aw, you even wrote my name on it with a heart above the i.”
“Well, I know how much you love that, and how sad you were that Base & Bean is in the opposite direction of where we are going.”
“Mmmm. You even added honey and cinnamon.” The look she gives me is a mix of pure satisfaction and gratitude.
“I’ve been looking forward to our girls’ day too.”
We start the long walk over to Foul Tip Candles and I’m glad I decided against the gym this morning. Between the hills and my wedges, my calf muscles are already on fire.
There is not a whole lot to do in Mango Bay, but candle making is one of my favorites. Of course, they’ve capitalized on the baseball thing, just like everyone else in this town, but they also have a wide variety of girly things to add to the candles.
“What kind of candle are you going to make this time?” I ask Sadie as we walk and sip our coffee.
“Well, I was actually thinking I might do a candle flight this time. I know they’re small, but last time I regretted my choices all the way home.”
“I know, you complained about it for the entire walk back.” Sarcasm is dripping from my voice, but honestly, I felt the same way.
“Are you going to make an Ozzie candle?” she asks, and actually sounds serious.
I choke on my sip of coffee and wipe the bit that dribbled down my chin with my sleeve, “What in the hell is an Ozzie candle?”
“I was looking on their website this morning, and their monthly special for the end of the season are player candles. You can make a candle that smells like them—you know like the ones that smell like different actors on . They have a variety of scents that match each player’s vibe and you can add things that represent them and take a piece of them home with you.
” She barely finishes her sentence without breaking into a fit of giggles.
“That’s fucking ridiculous.”
“I know.” She is still laughing but tries to drink her coffee in spite of it.
She takes a deep breath to compose herself as we stop at the crosswalk across the street from our destination. But her efforts are futile as we wait for the walk sign, because in the window is a large sign “Get cozy with your favorite player.”
“I literally thought you were fucking with me.”
Once we get inside I can’t help it, I make my way over to the obscene man-making station, and start looking at all of the different things you can add to your candles.
This section of the craft station is packed with women of all ages—all making candles that “smell” like their favorite player.
Lining the wall is a makeshift locker room and inside each locker are scents, charms, wax trinkets like bats and bases to add to your candle. Each section is specific to the gear and position of that specific player. There is even one for Orbit—and Horner.
“Hmmm. I didn’t think tall men in a mango colored suit and top hat did it for anyone.”
As if I was talking to her, the older lady next to me answers, “He’s pretty handsome if you ask me.”
I smile back at her. “He is.” It’s not a lie, he is handsome, but in a stadium full of hot baseball players, the top hat isn’t exactly what I imagined would get someone going.
Curious, I ask, “Are you building a player candle?”
“Oh yes, I’m actually doing the candle flight. What about you?”
“Me? No, I’m just curious what they have over here. I’m going to make some candles with my roommate for our apartment.”
“That sounds fun. It was nice to meet you,” she says as she keeps looking through the selection.
“This is so weird,” Sadie whispers as she puts a little bottle of scented oil in front of me.
“Fuck a tit, that’s so strong,” I whisper back. “What the hell is that?”
“That’s what your boyfriend smells like.”
I turn the bottle in her grip so I can see the label, ‘Ozzie – body wash’ is scrolled across the label.
“Um… false. One—he doesn’t own body wash, he uses mine when I stay over, and two—he smells like soap. He showers more than anyone I know.” My voice sounds more offended than it should.
“Yeah, because you keep getting him all dirty.” She wiggles her brows suggestively. “Maybe the scent in Ozzie’s locker should be labeled Mare.”
“Ew, let’s go make our candles. This section is giving me the skeevees.”
Before I know it, Sadie and I are finishing up the last touches on our candle flights. I lean back to survey my jars, and instantly fall in love. I have three small jars—lavender, honey sea salt, and sandalwood. Each one has a variety of dried flowers and pearls set into the wax.
“I should have listened to you and used the wicks that crackle like fire,” Sadie pouts as she surveys her own jars.
“Sadie, we live together, you will get to hear the crackle too. It’s not like this is the last time we will come here.” She’s so indecisive—I secretly love it, it means we get to come back here more often than most.
“I’m starving. Let’s stop at Ruby’s and grab some food on the way home,” I suggest. “A burger sounds amazing right now.”
“Ohhh, and sweet potato fries,” Sadie adds, licking her lips.
I called Ruby on the way over, and lucky for us, she had our food ready and two seats at the end of the bar reserved for us when we walked in.
“Perks of knowing the owner,” she calls over to me, pointing in the direction of our seats when we walk in.
“You’re the best,” I call back.
She finishes putting an order in the computer and then comes over and fills two Diet Cokes. “Heads up, his ex is here and she’s in a mood.”
She doesn’t even have to say her name for me to know who she’s talking about. Jax told me she heard we were hanging out and wasn’t happy about it.
Sadie, already scanning the restaurant, whispers, “She’s on the patio.”
I hate that my insides recoil. I shouldn’t give a shit that she’s here. She broke his heart. It’s none of her business how he puts it back together.
“Did she mention me?” I ask Ruby.
“She asked if you were working before she got a table. She seemed relieved when I said no. But, that girl’s got an attitude on her, thinks everyone should be at her beck and call.” Ruby scrunches her nose—that’s her least favorite kind of person.
“Let’s take our food to go,” Sadie suggests. “This has been the most relaxing day, let’s keep it that way.”
Ruby doesn’t even wait for my response, she starts boxing up our plates, and then hands us two Diet Cokes to go.
“Have a fun night, girls.” I can tell by the look in her eyes, she knew I needed someone else to make the call. If we would have stayed and something happened I’d never forgive myself. If I would have made us leave, I’d question myself all night and feel like a meek version of myself.
“Thanks,” I say, taking the bag of food from her.
Sadie and I turn to leave and as I do, Tatum’s eyes meet mine from across the crowded restaurant and her eyes narrow at me. I don’t look away.
Her gaze follows mine as I move towards the door.
I don’t even know what to really think about this whole interaction—and quickly decide I don’t care.