Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 164838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
I flinched as I fell back through time.
After that day, Zander hadn’t been at Nana’s so often. For a couple of visits—when I came on my own as my parents couldn’t be bothered—I’d waited to catch sight of him, only to be disappointed. Nana told me he was a diligent student and working very hard to manifest his dreams.
I’d been happy for him but also…lonely.
Tucking away decades’ worth of yearning, I forced myself to joke. “It all makes sense now.”
“What does?”
“Those excuses your gran gave—that you were busy studying and couldn’t have dinner with us or you were at the library cramming…that was you avoiding me.”
“Some of them were, yeah.” Crossing his arms, his frown turned into a genuine smile. Not reserved. Not polite. A full-blown happy smile that made my heart shiver off its layer of dust and flutter again. “But mostly, I was doing you the favour of avoiding my terrible company.”
“Ever a gentleman, even then.” I returned his smile, stiffening as Milton’s slurs echoed.
“See? You were a slut even at fourteen. He knew it. Everyone knew it.”
His face fell. “I’m the opposite of that word. Especially at the moment.”
Not liking the dark look in his eyes, I dug my fingernails into my palms and ignored the phantom pain from Milton’s fists telling me to get away from him. I even managed to take a step closer. I needed to take away the sudden sadness on his handsome face. For some strange reason, I felt responsible. As if his sudden discomfort was my fault. “Know what I think?”
His gorgeous eyes met mine, his glasses catching the sun. He searched me as if he’d lost something infinitely precious and still couldn’t find it. Sucking in a heavy inhale, he breathed, “What do you think?”
“I think Melody and Mary are entirely to blame for our many misunderstandings, and it’s up to us to set the record straight.”
“T-The record?”
My chest squeezed at his minor stutter. At his obvious wariness and curse of shyness. His cheeks tinged pink, which gave me just enough confidence not to be afraid anymore. Not to be afraid of him.
Holding out my hand, I embraced enough courage to smile and wait for him to shake. “Hi, I’m Sailor Melody Rose. I prefer flowers over people most days. I don’t like apricots or working for someone. I could technically be called lazy because I learned from the best that life happens in the moments where we do nothing. I’ve recently adopted a cat who has become my entire world, and my house is haunted by the very same woman who tried to set us up as kids. I also suffered from a mistake that cost me a lot of physical and emotional pain, and because I recently made a vow of honesty with someone, I’m going to be honest with you and say I’m sick of living in the past and want to step into the future. So…”
Reaching for his wrist, I brought his hand up and threaded my fingers with his. Shaking our combined grip, I smiled at the dazed look on his face. “Can we start again? No more misunderstandings. No more secrets. No more avoiding each other. Friends?”
He choked and cleared his throat. “You made a vow of honesty?”
“I did, and it’s been surprisingly healing.”
“Who did you make the vow with?” His tone thickened just a little.
A prickle darted down my spine.
Was he jealous?
Surely not.
“Just a friend.” I squinted in the sun. “Go on…if we’re to be friends too, you need to introduce yourself.”
Sighing, he tightened his fingers around mine. His eyebrows knitted together with a flash of frustration. “Okay then. Nice to meet you, Sailor Melody Rose. I’m Zander North. I don’t have a middle name. I don’t like loud music. I suck at sleeping. Oh, and I’m a workaholic.” His hand stopped moving, but he didn’t release me.
We stood there, our palms and fingers linked, locked in a stare that neither of us could break.
I forgot about Milton.
I felt no pain.
The past couldn’t find me as I drowned in a sea of green from his eyes.
For the first time, stirrings of belief that I would be alright grew bright.
This would pass.
I would be happy again.
Starting with doing something brand new.
Tugging my hand from his, I stepped toward his bike. “Take me for a ride, Zander North. I have a sudden urge to fly.”
* 32 *
Zander
Let’s Be Friends
I’D DIED AND WOKEN UP IN A different universe.
It was the only explanation for why Sailor’s arms were wrapped around my waist, her thighs pressed against mine, her heart drumming through her canvas jacket and my leather bomber.
I hadn’t said a word as I’d fetched her a spare helmet from my garage, then slung my leg over my bike and ignited the engine. She’d stayed equally silent as she shoved the helmet on her head, then clambered up behind me.