Page 4 of Prudence
“How do you know that?”
A soft smile touched my lips. “You helped my brother when he scraped his knee in primary school one time. I don’t think I’d ever been more impressed by anyone when you produced a first-aid kit from your school bag.”
“Oh, my goodness, I’d completely forgotten about that kit.” She cast me an embarrassed grin. “When I was eight, I asked for it as one of my birthday presents. I’d always been obsessed with making people better when they were sick or injured. I think I fancied myself the schoolyard medic that year. When my little sister, Donna, got an ear infection at age six, I insisted on being the one to administer her medication and eardrops each day. Then when she recovered, I pronounced her all better and said that she could thank Doctor Milly for her excellent care and medical treatment.” She chuckled.
“That’s adorable.”
Milly flushed before focusing on the selection in front of her, not looking at me as she continued, “Well, to answer your question, I do still want to study medicine, but I need to get enough points next year to qualify for the course. I might not make the cut.”
“I’m sure you can achieve whatever you set your mind to,” I told her confidently.
“Thanks,” she replied softly, and I found myself admiring her long, poker straight hair that hung in a river down her back. I’d never seen a girl with hair as long as Milly’s.
“What is it?” she asked, noticing my attention as we turned into the next aisle.
“Your hair,” I replied on instinct, my throat scratchy. I’d had a couple girlfriends over the years and had also slept with a few who weren’t my girlfriend, but I’d never felt nervous like this before. There was something about Milly. I wanted her approval. Every day as I drove by her walking home from school, I’d been seized with the urge to stop and offer her a lift. The only thing preventing me was the worry of coming across as a creep.Come take a ride in my car, pretty girl. Not a good look. Then yesterday’s unusually bad weather had offered me the perfect opportunity, and I’d snatched it with both hands.
Now, I was awkwardly trying to compliment her hair and rapidly sliding back into creep territory.
“My hair?” she questioned, eyebrows rising in curiosity.
I cleared my throat. “It’s very long.”
“Oh. Right, yeah.” She fingered the silky strands. “I only ever get it trimmed so it stays long. My Aunt Nell says I should get it cut shorter, that it would look much better that way, but I like it how it is.”
“I like it, too. Your aunt doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”
That won me a smile as she continued walking along the aisle. “Thank you,” she murmured.
A minute or two went by as Milly quietly shopped, and I played my role of basket carrier. When she was done, we approached the register and joined the queue.
Okay, Derek, it’s now or never. Shoot your shot.
“So,” I began, turning to her, my gaze travelling over her delicate profile and soft lips. “We’re having a party at my house tomorrow night. Want to come?”
I watched her throat move as she swallowed and blinked up at me. “Oh. A party?”
“Yeah, nothing too crazy. Just me, my siblings, and a couple of our friends. I’d love for you to be there.”
She nodded, but then her brow crinkled. “I can’t. My parents are going out, so I have to stay in and watch my sisters.”
“How old are they”
“Twelve and fourteen,” Milly answered as she began unloading the items from the basket. Okay, so they were definitely too young for me to suggest bringing them along. Disappointment swept in.
“Ah, well, maybe next time.”
“Sure,” Milly replied, a faint flush staining her cheeks.
For the next two months, that was how it went. Most days after school, I’d pick Milly up in my car, we’d spend a couple minutes chatting, and then I’d drop her off at her house. The best days were when she had to run some errand or other for her parents, and I got to drive her wherever she needed to go, prolonging our time together. We developed a comfort with one another, but oddly, every time I invited her to spend time with me outside of the daily drives, she had some excuse as to why she couldn’t go. Whether she had a big test to study for, a chore to do at home or babysitting her kid sisters, there was always something.
Then, devastatingly, the school year ended, and I no longer had cause to run into her. I’d texted and invited her to several parties and hangouts at the beach, but like always, Milly was busy. I’d almost given up hope and decided I needed to face the facts; the girl just wasn’t interested in me. At the very worst, she might’ve been using me for the convenient car rides and nothingmore. There was a line of others who would jump at the chance to go out with me, but I didn’t want them.
I wanted Milly.
She’d wheedled her way under my skin with her shy smiles, quiet intelligence and stunning blue eyes that I often found myself getting lost in. No other girl could compare. I mean, it wasn’t simply that she was pretty. There were lots of pretty girls in town. There was just something about Milly’s energy and presence that I craved. Being around her felt right somehow. It was like we instinctively understood each other without really needing to try. Perhaps it was because we were both the eldest in our families, and we both felt a similar responsibility to set a good example for our younger siblings.
Ever since I could remember I’d had this need to protect Nuala and Tristan, to look out for them and make sure they were safe. I could tell Milly felt the same about her sisters, Jane and Donna.
