Her Best Friend's Brother(22)

“And with Tony?”

“Nothing ever happened with him either. We are just friends. It is better this way. You were right he is too old for me anyway.”

Mel nodded thoughtfuly. “So you aren’t going to tel me what you fought about last year?”

“Parker and I never fight. We get along realy wel.” Libby purposely misinterpreted her question.

Mel nodded again. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe you are being left behind a little bit, but you are doing it to yourself. When was the last time you went out on a date Libby?”

Libby sighed in surrender. For the first time in twelve years Mel was obsessing on someone else’s love life. She had realy crappy timing. “I go out Mel. As you just pointed out I do live in Florida, so that is where I do the majority of my going out.”

Relief spread across Mel’s face. “Okay! So dish.

Who are we dating?”

Damn. “Wel it isn’t serious but Brian and I spent a lot of time together last semester.” That wasn’t exactly a lie. Brian had sacrificed most of his Thursday nights helping her pass freshman accounting. And it wasn’t serious, mostly, because Brian was hopelessly devoted to his girlfriend. Not that she was disappointed seeing as Brian was a bit dul. He would probably make a briliant accountant one day, but he was stil dul.

They chatted a little longer with Libby being as diplomatic as possible when the topic of Brian came up.

When Mel hopped up and announced she was going home to pack Libby was glad to have some time alone with her thoughts. She needed to think. It wasn’t enough that she wasn’t in love with Tony anymore, which she wasn’t. Mel was right. Libby needed to date more. She had plenty of opportunities, but she always seemed to have more excuses.

Not anymore. Starting next week Libby McKay was in the market for Mr. Right. Or at the very least Mr.

Right Now.

The next morning Libby arrived bright and early at the Marchetti house bearing a carry-out tray ful of iced cappuccino and a box of muffins from her mom’s bakery.

Sometime last night it had occurred to her that she had been less than supportive of Mel’s new life plan. Now she was determined to make up for it. She found Mel, John, and Parker stil taping up boxes. This didn’t realy surprise her.

Mel might have put a lot of thought into moving, but she had clearly left al the packing for the last minute. No complaining though—Libby silently joined the effort. They didn’t work quickly. Every 90 or so seconds Melanie felt the need to stop and play ‘remember when’. Caught up in her friend’s nostalgia Libby usualy joined in reliving the moments of their youth. These trips down memory lane provided no end of amusement for the guys. Before long Parker and John were sharing increasingly outrageous fictitious memories of their own.

“John do you remember that time you saved al those kittens from the burning barn?”

“That was nothing compared to the time you carried that old lady with a broken leg ten miles to the emergency room.”

“Wel it isn’t as though I had much of a choice. I would have driven her but if you remember you had borrowed my car to go on that safari”

“A safari in New York?”

“Don’t be ridiculous Libster—the safari was in Canada that was probably why I needed a car.” John was grinning like a ten year old at the idea.”

“Sure! If I remember correctly they were hunting the ever elusive Canadian unicorn.”

“What makes a unicorn Canadian?” Mel stopped giggling long enough to interject.

Parker made a face. “The live in Canada.”

“Yeah.” John looked excited. “And they don’t have that pansy spiral horn these American unicorns are sporting. Nope they each have a great big moose antler in the middle of their heads.” John opened one hand, planted his thumb in the center of his forehead and childishly galoped about the room a few times.” The four friends erupted into laughter.

“Did you catch one?” Mel managed when she caught her breath.”

“Of course he did!” Parker piped up. “And you know if you catch a unicorn they have grant you a wish.”

“I thought that was leprechauns” Libby stood up and began to gather the remnants of their breakfast to take out to the trash.

“Nah, Leprechauns aren’t real” John answered with mock seriousness.

“What did you wish for?”

John didn’t even stop to consider. “The Laker Girls”

Mel whirled around irritably to face him knocking Libby backwards at the same time. The remnants of two, now melted, cappuccinos splashed across Libby’s tee shirt.

“Mel!” Libby puled the wet and stained cotton away from her skin. “Tel me you have something in one of these boxes I can wear.”