I laughed. “I’m good. But thanks for the offer.”
“Why are you sitting out here in the dark, anyway?”
“It’s all people from my dad’s work inside and Lena’s family. Plus, it’s a clear night, and I like looking up at the stars.”
“Have you ever gone to Long Wharf Park to see the stars?”
“No. Where is it?”
“New Haven.”
I sighed. “My father gives me a hard time about driving on I-95 at night since I only got my license six months ago. Maybe my friend Alley will take me.”
He was quiet for a bit. “I’ve been driving three years.”
My heart sped up. Was he saying he wanted to take me to see the stars?
Before I could answer, he spoke again. “I’ll tell you what. How about we make a little bet? If you beat your record, I’ll give you directions to the best spot to see the stars. But if you don’t, you have to let me take you.”
Ummm… Who cares about the dumb record?
I immediately started figuring out how I could get the motion detector to go off without looking like I’d done it on purpose.
“So…do we have a deal?” Braden said.
I tried to come off nonchalant. “Sure. Why not?”
Five seconds later, the lights came on. I blinked as my eyes adjusted. Had I moved? I didn’t think I had.
I looked over at Braden, who sported an ear-to-ear smile.
“I didn’t budge,” I said.
His smile grew wider. “I know. I swung my arm in the air. The bet you agreed to didn’t specify whose fault it would be that the lights went on, only that they did.” He tilted his head and held out his hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
CHAPTER 11
* * *
Autumn
“Hey!” I smiled at my friend Skye’s face flashing on the screen and swiped to answer. I’d never seen the picture before. Her eyes were crossed and her tongue dangled out adorably.
“I’m starting to feel neglected,” she said. “You don’t call… You don’t write…”
I laughed. “When did you change your photo in my phone?”
“Last time I was over. If I remember correctly, you were ignoring me, busy on your laptop researching the origin of some song you’d heard on a commercial.”
“Ah…yes. ‘Magic’ by The Pilots. They’re from Scotland, you know.”
“Of course I know. You told me that and four hundred other facts you looked up after watching a ten-second commercial.”
A taxi on the street next to me blew its horn.
“Where are you?” Skye asked.
“On my way to meet Blake for dinner. I took an Uber, but traffic was at a standstill so I got out to walk the last two blocks.”
“Blake? That’s the new guy I said sounded boring?”
“He’s very nice.”
“So is my seventy-eight-year-old neighbor, Wilbur. Remind me to set you up if this doesn’t work out.”
“Cute.”
“Anyway, I just called to find out if we’re still on for next week and see if everything turned out alright with the kid of yours who went missing. You were supposed to call me the next day.”
“Sorry. Things have been a little…I don’t know…weird lately. I’ve felt so scatterbrained. I should’ve called. But we did find Storm, and he’s doing okay, and we are most definitely on for next week. I’m dying to know what happens with Kayla.”
“Alright, great. But is everything okay otherwise, though? Something causing you to feel weird?”
“Do you remember a guy I told you about named Donovan?”
“The luggage guy with all the plants whose bones you wanted to hop, but didn’t?”
I smiled. “That’s him.”
“What about him?”
“Well, we ran into each other again.”
“Ooooh—that guy was definitely more interesting than the new one. He had tattoos. I’ve never met a boring dude with tats. Let me guess, Blake doesn’t have any?”
I sighed. “He actually doesn’t.”
“So are you seeing Green Thumb now, too?”
I shook my head. “Not on a personal level, but he is representing Storm, so I guess I will be seeing him.” The restaurant where I was meeting Blake was only a few buildings down. “Listen, I need to run. I’m just about to walk in to dinner. I’ll see you next week?”
“Can’t wait. Have a good night.”
“You, too.”
I swiped to end the call just as I reached the door to the restaurant. Before going inside, I stopped and took a deep breath. I could have used a few more minutes to clear my head, but I was already late, and I didn’t want to be rude. I’d hoped my mood would improve before I arrived, but instead I’d gone from not feeling like going out to dreading it. But I plastered on my best smile as the hostess showed me to the table. Blake was already seated.
He stood and kissed my cheek. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thank you.”
He pulled out my chair, and I sat. “Sorry I’m late.”
“I was starting to think you were going to stand me up.”
“My Uber canceled three times. I should have texted you.”