Chapter 24
They made a stop at the Cracked Egg after leaving the dance. Melissa was just closing up, but when she saw Cassie’s red, tear-streaked
face, she herded them inside and sat them down at the counter.
“What can I make you, sweet pea?” She asked. “Anything at all.”
“Waffles?” Cassie asked hopefully. “With whipped cream?”
“Comin’ right up.”
Mylie accepted the coffee Melissa offered her, not caring that it was after ten p.m. and she might never sleep again. This
night had been... interesting to say the least.
Beside her, Ben seemed just as grateful for the liquid dose of caffeine. He breathed in the aroma before taking a sip. Mylie
tried not to look at his lips as he drank, tried not to think about those lips on her, what they might have gotten up to if
they hadn’t been interrupted.
“Is Cassie all right?” Ben whispered.
“She’s going to be okay,” Mylie replied. She looked over at her sister, who was making conversation with Melissa. She was
no longer sniffling. The waffles were helping.
Melissa looked over at them, grinning. “It’s nice to see you two together again,” she said. “I wondered how long it would
take.”
Mylie felt her face flush and cursed the fluorescent lights. They’d all see.
“Well, we are neighbors,” Ben replied.
“You find a buyer for that house already?” Melissa asked. “That was quick.”
“Not yet,” Ben said. “But Courtney thinks an offer may come soon.”
Melissa looked at Mylie.
“There was a couple who looked earlier in the week,” Mylie offered. “They seemed nice.”
“Well, that’s good,” Melissa said.
“It’ll be nice having someone living next door, instead of having random guests sneaking down to our dock at all hours of
the night,” Mylie continued.
“I didn’t know that happened,” Ben said, surprised.
“Just a few times,” Mylie said. “You know that dock is decrepit, I don’t care what Granny says. I worried someone would fall
through and drown.”
“I’ve been telling Granny to fix that dock for years,” Melissa said.
“I’ve offered to hire someone more than once,” Mylie replied. “But you know Granny.”
Cassie took the last bite of her waffles and then leaned her head on Mylie’s shoulder. “Can we go home now?” she asked.
“Of course,” Mylie said.
Ben began to reach into his wallet at the same time Mylie went to grab her purse, but Melissa waved them off. “It’s on the
house,” she said.
“Thanks,” Mylie said, truly grateful. “I know it’s late, and you were ready to go home.”
“I have about fifty essays to grade,” Melissa said. “I’d stay here all night if I thought I could get away with it.”
Cassie wrinkled her nose. “You mean I have to write essays in college, too?”
Melissa nodded. “Yep, and don’t think I’ll go easy on you because you’re my favorite, either.”
“I’m your favorite?” Cassie gave Melissa a genuine smile.
“Don’t tell.”
“Is your semester about over?” Ben asked, as they stood up to leave.
“Next week,” Melissa said.
“At least you’ll get a break,” Ben offered.
“Hardly.” Melissa rolled her eyes. “I have to teach summer school. We’re so short on instructors.” She fixed her gaze on Ben.
“You interested in teaching? We could really use you.”
Ben shook his head and replied, “I’ve been offered a job in Boston.”
“You sign that contract yet?” This time, Melissa was looking at Mylie.
Again, Ben shook his head. “Not yet. It’s a verbal offer, but I’ve accepted.”
“But it’s not set in stone.”
“I guess not,” Ben replied, shifting uncomfortably on his feet.
“Well, just keep us in mind,” Melissa said. “Just in case.”
They waved to Melissa as they left, with a noticeably happier Cassie. And although Mylie couldn’t be entirely sure, she could
have sworn she saw Melissa wink at her.