Page 24 of The Design of Goodbye
Apologies were a waste of time. But whatever. I’d apologize to Liam in my own way, but I’d never, ever utter the wordsI’m sorry—to anyone—ever again.
chapter ten
I waited until Friday night to apologize to Liam. Of course I’d seen him at school during the week, but someone had always been with me. And there was no way I was apologizing to Liam in front of my friends. I didn’t have a socialdeath wish.
Plus, I hadn’t figured outhowI was going to apologize until a few hours ago.
It was almost eight when I walked into The Fresh Market. I’d thought it’d be easy to find him, but he wasn’t working at the cash registers like I expected. After a few minutes of wandering down aisles, a petite girl with purple-and-blue highlighted black hair, a mint tulle maxi skirt, a white employee polo, and beautiful ankle strap rhinestone high heels bounded over.
“I’m Olive,” she said, voice vibrant and friendly. “Need help finding something?”
I ignored her question and pointed to her shoes. “Those are gorgeous.”
“Thank you,” she gushed. “My dad got me them when he visited my grandparents in Japan over the summer.”
“Your dad has excellent taste.”
“He does, doesn’t he?” She grinned so wide the corners of her eyes scrunched up. “Anyway,” she continued brightly as she straightened a box of crackers on the nearby shelf, “did you need to find something? Canned okra? Some exotic spice? I always like a good mission.”
“I’m actually looking for someone.” I glanced down the aisle, as if expecting Liam to appear. “He works here.”
“I can help with that. Who’re you looking for?”
“Is Liam here?”
Her cheerful manner instantly vanished. “Strom?”
I frowned. “He hasn’t already left, has he? I thought he got off at nine.”
My dad would besopissed if he found out I’d never apologized.
“No, he’s here.” Her eyes narrowed. “Why do you need to talk to him?”
“I have something for him.”
“What?” she pressed.
I held up the coffee and paper bag I was holding.
“I didn’t realize you were friends. I’m so sorry,” she said. “Some kids from his school come here and mess with him sometimes, so...”She beckoned me to follow her. “He’s stocking right now. Follow me.”
It was good she helped me because Liam was stocking cans of soup clear across the store.
“Hey, Strom,” said Olive. “Someone’s here to see you.”
Liam was kneeling on the ground and frowned when he saw me. “Uh, hi.”
Olive grabbed a can of vegetable soup off Liam’s cart and waved it around gleefully. “Yum. Dinner.” She cocked her head and said, “Nice meeting you...”
“Madison. Nice meeting you, too. Thanks for helping me find him.” I waved goodbye to her before turning to Liam. “Hey.”
He stood, and I hoped I wasn’t blushing. Because even dressed in work clothes—that same polo as Olive but maroon and some black slacks—he was still cute. Cute like he’d been last Saturday at the apple festival, cute like he’d been every single time I’d seen him the past two weeks. I tried to ignore it, but his cuteness wouldn’t go away.
“Did you need something?” he asked.
“Is Olive your friend?”
“My boss. Her dad owns the store.”
