Page 66 of Pretty Little Thing

“Strange,” Melanie says. “I didn’t realize drawing a penis on the bathroom mirror telling me to come and get it, baby was considered a style.”

He winks. “It worked, didn’t it?”

Melanie snaps the book open and scribbles on the title page. “For Robbie,” she says aloud. “Thanks for all your support. Your pal, Mel Rose.” She slams it and holds it out to him. “There. You can go now.”

Robbie takes it and flicks it open. “Hey, Robbie,” he reads, grinning wide. “Eat a dick and die. Mel Rose. Aww, that’s cute. You drew a frowny face and everything.”

Melanie feigns a smile. “Bye-bye!”

“Not so fast.” He holds up his phone. “I paid for a selfie, too.”

Her smile drops.

Robbie bends back over the table and holds up his phone. “Say cheese, Mel,” he says, lining up the photo.

“I hate you,” she says as the flash blinds her.

“Perfect.” Robbie inspects it. “Now, that’s a Christmas card.”

“Go. Away.”

“Relax. I’m on my way out.” Robbie looks to me and Trix again and bows his head. “Ladies.”

“Bye, Robbie!” I say with a wave.

“Love you, Robbie!” Trix adds.

“We miss you.”

We both blow kisses at him and he returns a wink before disappearing into the nonexistent crowd.

Melanie groans. “I need new friends.”

Trix pats Melanie’s back.

I turn in my chair. “I’m heading to the ladies’,” I say. “Be right back.”

I stand up and head toward the restrooms in the far corner. I check over my shoulder, making sure Trix and Melanie aren’t looking before hopping between the bookshelves and rushing toward the exit to catch up with Robbie.

I step outside, quickly looking from left to right in search of that familiar leather jacket. I spot him down the block just seconds away from hailing a cab.

“Hey, Rob. Wait up!”

He hears me and stops, instantly throwing his hands up as I catch up to him. “Hey, I was nice,” he says, defending himself.

“I know.” I cross my arms to shield the cold. “You were. I just wanted to say thank you.”

“It’s her big night,” he says with a shrug. “And from what you’ve undoubtedly already deduced, it’s not as big as she wanted it to be. I can read a room, ya know.”

“Not about that.”

He pauses, studying me for a second before cracking a smile. “You went back to Judy’s,” he figures out.

“I did.”

“Did you try the cross?” he asks.

“I…” I hesitate. “Yeah, I did. A little. Sort of.”

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