Page 101 of Rowdy Hearts

I knew exactlywhere he’d taken Krista and Mrs. Santiago. It was one of Krista’s favorite places. Their huge and unusual topping bar had drawn national attention a few years ago, along with their strange flavors, like dill pickle, rosemary and chives, and my favorite, barbeque chips and dip.

The taxi dropped us off a few doors down from the shop, and I slid out of the car, heart racing and a knot in the pit of my stomach. I couldn’t tell if it was from nerves or excitement. Probably both.

“Tressy? You okay?”

I looked up and caught sight of myself in the window of a flower shop.

“I look like I got cast as the virgin librarian in a slasher movie. Do I always dress like this?”

“I guess the question should be why do you dress like this?” Mom waved a hand at my reflection. “You’re young and beautiful. It’s beyond me why you don’t flaunt it.”

Because I hadn’t wanted anyonetonotice me. Not in the past few years. I’d worried about someone recognizing me and then noticing Krista and maybe taking too close a look at her. At her features. She was practically a replica of her mother, except for the nose. That she must have gotten from her father, whoever he was. Denee had never told me. And it’d been better that way.

“I have to tell him about Krista.”

“Do you think it’ll make a difference to him? Honestly, at this point, I don’t know that I’d bother. You just never know with some people. It could all go bad at some point and blow up in your face.”

That was the thing, though. “I trust him. I’ve never trusted anyone like I trust him.”

Mom shrugged. “I’ll back your play, but if he gets out of line, I’ll be waiting to cut him off at the balls.”

I laughed so hard I started to snort, which made my mom laugh, too.

And that’s when Rowdy walked out of the shop.

That knot in my gut loosened and all my muscles felt like goo. And I couldn’t stop smiling.

I think my mom might’ve rolled her eyes and huffed out a laugh, but honestly, I wasn’t sure of anything but Rowdy.

His smile was all I saw, his eyes crinkled at the corners. He lifted one hand to shove back the thick waves as he walked closer.

“Hi.”

I had to unstick my tongue from the top of my mouth before I could answer.

“Hi.”

“I’m sorry to show up like this but?—”

“I’m glad you did. I’m glad you’re here. I…”

…didn’t know what else to say.I missed you. I want you. I’m so glad you’re here. Please don’t go. Please take us home with you.

My mom elbowed me discreetly then stuck out her hand.

“Hi, I’m Bebe Meyers. Tressy’s mom. It’s nice to meet you. And now I’m going to go see my granddaughter while you two…do…whatever.”

My mom disappeared, leaving Rowdy and I alone. On a busy Chelsea sidewalk. I realized now that people had to walk around us, and we were getting a few dirty looks.

“Why don’t we walk back to my condo, and we can talk there.”

“Can we talk while we walk?”

Rowdy gave me another one of those smiles that made my core clench. I think at that moment, I might have agreed to anything just to have him here with me.

“Of course.”

We turned and headed back toward my apartment. I expected him to start talking right away, but he stayed silent for those first seconds, and I couldn’t take it.

---