Page 23 of Just My Puck
“I can’t help but notice you’re alone. Are you leaving Marissa outside because she’s on a book ban?” Hayley laughs.
“Yep.” Beth glances back at Marissa, who’s pacing in front of the store. “She wouldn’t be able to resist.”
“Why is she on a book ban?” I can’t help but ask.
“Marissa is a big reader,” Beth says. “And a big book buyer. Her husband says she can’t buy any more books until she’s read through her TBR pile.”
“What’s a TBR pile?”
Beth chuckles. “I know. I was new to all this bookish jargon too. It’s your to-be-read pile.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Tough for our business,” Hayley says, shaking her head. “What if we put Emma on a coffee ban, huh? You guys would be bankrupt within weeks,” she scolds Beth before glancing at me. “Emma is a huge coffee addict.”
Beth gives her a pointed look.“Please! You guys wouldn’t last two days with Emma on a coffee ban.”
Hayley’s shoulders fall. “She’s got a point. Emz is a bit of a grump,” she tells me with a wink.
“All right, we’d better get going,” Beth says. “Before Marissa cracks and I have Aaron to answer to.”
“Nice to meet you, Aria,” Hayley says. “Come back anytime. And keep that book,” she adds, gesturing to the romcom I’m still holding. “I haven’t read it, but my friend Alice loves that author.”
I smile, my eyes falling on the book. “Thank you. I’ll be back for more.”
As I follow Beth outside, Marissa welcomes me with a bright smile, despite the fact that she was apparently two seconds away from marching right in there. A laugh spills out of me as we walk together. I think Caleb was right. Some fresh air and girl talk might be exactly what I need to start feeling like myself again.
10
"Things can change in the blink of an eye.”
Aria
Beth and Marissa take me shopping in Manhattan, where we see some of the most famous buildings in New York. Unfortunately, none of them ring a bell. The bustling streets, the smells, the sights—nothing feels familiar, so I don’t think I’ve been living here long. Maybe the job I got fired from on Friday was my first in the city? Still, I must have a home somewhere, tucked within one of these towering buildings. A place that holds all my personal belongings and my memories.
We pop into a bunchof stores, and every time we step through the doors, I zero in on the basics. Simple tops, sweaters, leggings, jeans. This time, I make sure to choose the right size.
“Looks like someone has a favorite color,” Marissa says, glancing at the black sweater I’m holding.
I chuckle. “Yeah, I guess I do. I did buy a pair of blue jeans and a gray T-shirt, though.”
“And two more black sweaters, plus a pair of black leggings,” Beth says with a wink.
“Fine. I guess black is my color. I feelsomuch better knowing that crucial fact about myself. What incredible progress.”
They both laugh.
“Gotta love a little sass,” Marissa says. “Ready to check out?”
After we meander to the cashier and pay for our stuff, we decide it’s time for a lunch break. And I wouldn’t say no to sitting down, either. We’ve been at it for about two hours, and my feet are killing me. Whatever I did for a living, it obviously didn’t get me moving around much.
We grab some fast food at a food court, then sit down at a table. I chose the exact same thing as Marissa because it sounded appealing, and I still have no idea what I like.
“So, how do you like your burger?” she asks. “Pretty good, right?”
“It is.” I dab my mouth with a napkin. “You have great taste.”
“How has it been, staying with Caleb? Don’t you just love his place?” she asks, and Beth nods.
