Page 56 of Choose Us
There was that awkward look again,I noted it.
“Must be nice to have a close friend like that. She’s like your guide to all things Japan.”
“Yeah, it’s great.” Brooke turned towards the window. She reached out and gripped my hand, tighter than necessary, like she was afraidI’d let go.
“Holly...” The train came to a slow halt, and the announcer indicated this was the stop for Ginza. We gathered our things and exited the platform promptly.
“Did you want to say something?” I asked.
“What? When?”
“Just then, on the train, it seemed like you were about to saysomething.”
“No... I was erm... just going to say something soppy and embarrassing. I’ll save itfor later.”
She grabbed my hand and intertwined her fingers with mine. My heart swelled with pride. Our reunion would be fleeting, but in that moment, I was incredibly proud to have her by my side once again, however short lived our time might be.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
She seemed hesitant. I wasn’t sure if it was nerves or something more, but I tried to ignore it. I thought about asking her if she’d been dating anyone since me; she knew about Francesca, so it seemed appropriate, but the thought put me off our next food stop, so I didn’t. As the saying goes; what you don’t know doesn’t hurt you.
Inside the glass front building was a counter full of wooden boxes filled with baked goods. We’d come for the melon pan, but I couldn’t resist the rest.
“I’d like some of that apple pie as well. Oh my God, what is that?” It looked like a box full of the fluffiest bread I’d ever seen.
“Kashi pan. It’s bread with filling,”Brooke said.
“Oh wow, they do cream cheese... and strawberry... I want both.” I was in my element, hypnotised by the sweet smell of pastry. I left witha bag full.
“Shall we try it?” I asked.
Brooked nodded.
I pulled the melon pan from the bag; it was still slightly warm, which indicated just how fresh it was. The melon cream began to seep into my mouth. The flavour overwhelmed my taste buds in the best way. The mixture of soft warm bread and sweet sugary cream was incomparable to anything else, even a Krispy Kreme doughnut, and they were my favourite.
“Good?” Brooke chuckled.
“Mmmhmm. Unreal.” She went to grab the bread from my hands, but she was too slow. “All mine.” I winked.
“Oh, come on!” She reached again, but I had the height advantage, so I held the delicious pastry above my head.
“I hope the melon drops in your hair,” Brooke said before turning andwalking off.
I ran to catch up with her, almost falling off the curb laughing. “Okay, okay... Here you go.”
Brooke turned with a smug look on her face. I reached forwards to offer her a bite, and the opportunity to be naughty presented itself. I lightly pressed the bread against her nose; it was just enough to leave a dollop of melon creamon the tip.
“Oh, I see. That’s how you want to play,” Brooke said with a mischievous smile. She wiped the cream from her nose and lunged forward. I jumped backwards and ran across the street at speed, narrowly missing a lamppost and a stationary car. I raced down a side street, dodging pedestrians, crates of produce, and bikes until I hit a dead end. I had nowhere to go. Brooke wasclosing in.
“Woah. Okay. We can negotiate. Let’s work out a deal.” I held my hands up in surrender.
“Just, no melon in my hair. Please.” I pleaded.
She gently teased, edging forwards little by little. My eyes glued to the dollop of sticky cream on herfingertips.
Brooke pushed me up against the white brick wall of an unknown department store. The only audience was the naked window mannequins stood by the dumpster and the occasional worker running from the back entrance to the bins. It was far from picturesque, but the atmosphere didn’t matter. Our connection prevailed as italways did.
I held my breath as Brooke moved in closer. I think I stopped breathing for afew seconds.
