Don't wish it away

 

It had been the strangest Spring Break. At least, Izzy thought so when Melissa came to visit without Riley. After all, Izzy was Riley's friend, not Melissa's. 

Melissa said she was looking for a new job and asked if she could stay a few days. Izzy didn't like giving up her bed. "Well, you can sleep with me," Cowan had said about the matter. After all, they usually slept on the couch together during the weekends. It wouldn't be a big deal.

He'd been the surprise of the day. Somehow, he made a comforting dinner from the day-old chicken breasts from the deli, and a green bean casserole along with cranberry sauce on cheesecake. Even Melissa agreed he was a keeper before Izzy could say, "He's not my boyfriend."

She doubted Melissa would have listened anyway. She was all down and out about her break up with Riley. "I can't live there. That's her house." 

Izzy hoped Melissa would find her place. She was so academic. She must have connections. After all, she'd worked at the University library at one time.

"I was only a shelver then," Melissa told her. Izzy listened. Cowan made cookies and fudge. 

"Are you trying to make us fat?" She asked later while Melissa was out on an interview.

"Just look at this stuff," he showed her the pantry in the kitchen was filled with all the stuff she meant to use at Christmas but didn't since she was in a sad mood. She knew it should have been used last year. "It's still good." After all, had she gotten sick?

Izzy felt as if her life was falling apart yet at every turn Cowan was making it better. Damn, if his Rocky Road Fudge wasn't the best.

She thought about calling Riley to see what was really going on. Was it really over between Melissa and Riley?