Chapter 47

“Are not going to kick off in the next few months just because you’re not there. You think they’d want you to turn your back on happiness for their sakes? You’re doing it again, you know, ordering a single cone when you really want a double.”

“Michelle…”

“The only reason you don’t want to stay is because you know he’s The One, so you’re running away as fast as possible.”

More outrage noises. Really good ones. “Why on earth would I do that to myself?”

“The same reason I slept with Sledge instead of pursuing someone who made more sense as a partner. But knowledge is power, and I’m changing my strategy.” Michelle tapped her head smugly. “I made a list of everything I want in a guy. Then I crossed off the cosmetic ones. You know—heart-stoppingly gorgeous, loves to dance, penis the size of a salami.”

“Shh.” Candace peered around for anyone close enough to hear, giggling into her hand.

“And you know what I ended up with?” She stopped to let Candace enjoy the suspense, then her throat thickened and she couldn’t make herself say his name. Come on, Michelle. “Nick.”

“What? You’re mumbling.”

“I said…Nick.”

Candace’s eyes shot wide. “Nick? That guy with the beyond-help hair?”

“Beyond-help.” She shook her head sadly, feeling queasy.

“And zero fashion sense?”

“Negative fashion sense. That’s the one.”

“And a girlfriend.” Candace crunched the first bite of her sugar cone. “Which makes him inappropriate, too.”

“I know. Except for that part, though, he’s it.” Her voice was too high. She felt a little itchy.

Candace bit into her cone again. “He does have great eyes, Michelle.”

“Great eyes.”

“And his body isn’t bad at all.”

“You noticed that?” She hunched and released her shoulders.

“I’m not dead. And—” Candace pushed hair back the wind had blown across her mouth “—if I didn’t know he had a girlfriend, that one time I saw you together when we had lunch at Christmas, I would have said he’s crazy about you.”

“He’s crazy about Emma.” She laughed too loudly. She wasn’t going to bother mentioning the distinct feeling she got at their last meeting that Candace could be right. Which made no sense, given how devoted he’d seemed to his girlfriend for so long. Maybe they were having problems.

“Have you ever met this Emma person?”

“Nope.” Michelle licked her custard down flat to the cone, her appetite fading fast.

“Maybe he made her up.”

“Ha! That’s crazy.” A hint of panic raised its pesky little head. “He talks about her all the time, stuff they did together, what movies they watched, what she thought of them, her favorite foods. And Sledge knows her. Said she has a lot of black hair.”

“So do skunks.”

Michelle had to cover her mouth to keep from spraying vanilla custard. She liked her sister again today, and that felt good.

“How did that guy get to be named Sledge anyway?”

“He wouldn’t tell me. But…” Michelle leaned confidentially toward Candace, relieved at the subject change. “If you want my opinion, a girlfriend gave him the nickname.”

“What makes you say that.”

“Sledgehammer. In bed. He’s a pounder.”

“Ugh.” Candace wrinkled her nose. “Men like that learned about sex watching porn.”

“And they wonder why real women don’t come, screaming, every five minutes.” Michelle snorted. “‘Because, honey, ya just smashed my pleasure button into numb pulp.’”

Candace nearly choked on her cone. She planted a hand on her chest and let go, laughing until her face turned red and tears ran down her face.

Michelle smiled, experiencing a rush of sisterly love. If Candace would be like this all the time, Michelle wanted her to stay in Quinley, too. They could actually have fun together, which they hadn’t managed to since puberty hit. “I wish you wouldn’t go, Candace.”

Candace’s laughter ran out of steam. “Aw, Michelle.”

“I’d like the chance to get closer. Six years ago when you left, I know it wasn’t possible, but I feel as if now…”

“I know.” Candace turned to hug her. “You and me?”

“You and me.” Michelle squeezed her hard. She wanted so much for her sister to be happy with Nolan. And she wouldn’t mind being happy herself. At some point. With someone. They broke apart and leaned back against the car, resumed eating their cones, both crunching now, Michelle feeling relaxed again. Cars rushed by on Blue Mound. Customers came and went.

“What are you going to do about Nick?”

“Oh. Well.” She couldn’t believe how she was reacting. On paper, her theories about Nick as a romantic prospect had made so much sense. But sharing them with Candace was nerve-racking. “What are you going to do about Nolan?”

“I’ll think about staying.” She put her hand up when Michelle snorted.

“No, I really will, Michelle. I even told Nolan I would when he asked me to stay.”

“He asked you to stay!” She socked her sister on the shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell me? Oh my God, can I be bridesmaid at your wedding?”

“Ha.” Instead of shrieking, Candace actually grinned. “Down, girl. He even lined up a job for me.”

“Wow. Wow.” Michelle couldn’t believe it. Nolan was putting even more pressure on Candace than she was. She felt amateur in comparison. “So I guess you don’t need me nagging you.”

“Especially because it’s my turn to nag. What about Nick?”

“Oh. I don’t know.” She tried to pretend the last bit of her cone was fascinating while her stomach knotted up again. “I can’t interfere with what he’s got going with Emma.”

“Who in two years you’ve never seen. Why don’t you show up at his place after work? Say you were just in the neighborhood or visiting Sledge. Find out if Nick has any skunks around.” She started giggling again. “Or, God, what if Emma is inflatable?”

Michelle did spray custard that time, but not entirely from being amused. Candace laughed so hard a father and son nearby turned and smiled. Michelle hoped they wouldn’t ask what was so funny.

“Well.” Michelle forced another chuckle, wondering why she hadn’t cracked up as hard as her sister. “There’s a concept.”

“I’m just saying…” Candace shook with a leftover giggle, then got herself back under control by licking the last of the custard off her fingers. “Seriously, go over there, tell him you decided you want to date someone more like him, and does he have any friends. His reaction will tell you everything you need to know.”