Page 2 of Ancient Promises
“You know gossip in this town,” he said with a shrug.
“It wasn’t great, which is why I’ve got ice cream.”
He popped the button to lift the gate. “Sorry to hear. Have fun.”
Rare stepped out of the shack. “You got any extras for some hard-working schmoes?”
“I do, actually,” she said, handing over two pints of ice cream. “You’re on your own for utensils, though.”
“You’re awesome, thanks,” Rare said, accepting the ice cream.
She waved and pulled away, heading to the bookstore. When she’d parked at the back of the store, she walked up the exterior stairs and unlocked the door.
The soft sounds of the television greeted her.
“Sorry about your date,” Arely said from the couch.
“It’s okay. Going on a blind date was a little out of my comfort zone, and I’ve decided to do that kind of thing more often.”
“Blind dates?”
Diem shook her head. “Things that are out of my comfort zone. No more blind dates.”
Arely followed her into the kitchen and grabbed bowls from the cabinet.
They made sundaes, Diem using cookie dough ice cream with hot fudge and peanuts, and Arely using mint chip with way more sprinkles than any person should ever use.
“Well, at least you know,” Arely said.
“Know what?” Diem asked.
“That he’s not your truemate, so you can check him off the list.”
Diem plopped on the couch and toed off her shoes. “Good point. To finding our truemates,” she said, lifting her bowl in the air like a glass to toast.
“To doing things that are out of our comfort zones,” Arely said.
The bowls clinked together, and Diem smiled. The night might have sucked to begin with, but it was ending nicely. She didn’tneeda male to make herself complete, she justwantedone. She hoped her truemate showed up soon so she could start the next chapter of her life.
* * *
The following Monday, Diem picked up two grocery bags from the back of her car and carried them into the Cider Falls school’s cafeteria. Arely was one of two school cooks and had asked Diem to help her shop for the week’s breakfasts and lunches. The school, which was exclusive to the residents of Cider Falls, served pre-k through high school.
Arely took the bags and set them on the metal counter. “How many more are there?”
“Just a few more,” Diem answered.
“You’re a gem, thanks for helping me out.”
“Happy to.”
Diem hustled back out and grabbed two more bags, then returned two more times to get the boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables.
“That’s it,” she said, closing the back door.
“Cool, it went so much faster having an extra pair of hands.”
Diem put several gallon jugs of milk into the walk-in fridge and asked where the other cook was. “Is Brenda off today?”