“Hey, did I tell you that Dani will be headed to State this fall?”
Every muscle in my body goes whipcord tight. “No, you never mentioned it.”
He slaps my shoulder. “I’m glad you’ll be there to keep an eye on her next year. You can make sure that she doesn’t get into any trouble.”
I stifle the groan that fights to escape. Brett wouldn’t feel that way if he knew the dirty thoughts that go through my head when I think about her. He’d probably beat the piss out of me. And who could blame him for it?
Looks like next year is going to be both heaven and hell. Heaven, because I’ll be able to see Dani anytime, and hell, because she’ll never be mine the way I want her to be.
Danielle
“Have I mentioned how much I despise working here?” Lizzie grumbles.
“Only about a thousand times.” I glance at her perched position on the counter as she does a half-ass job of wiping off the napkin and straw dispensers. Her back is facing the shoppers who walk past. If our manager, Marty, saw her, he’d probably flip his lid and fire her on the spot. And Lizzie would cry real tears of joy. She’d wanted to spend the summer laying out by our pool, covered in coconut tanning oil, and soaking up the rays. Her parents, however, had other plans.
Something about responsibility and money management.
“Then make it a thousand and one.”
“Noted,” I say with a smile, washing the back counter and fountain machines. “At least we get to work together. That’s something, right?”
Like Lizzie, working at Orange Julius wasn’t exactly my dream career, but it’ll do for the time being. Jobs for summer help in Pine Grove were scarce, and I was forced to take what was available. The local Orange Julius owner is one of my father’s clients, and when Dad mentioned I was looking for part-time work, Mr. Landers offered me a position. Luckily, I was able to snag Lizzie one as well. Although, it’s doubtful she would see it that way.
The best part of the job is clocking out and walking around Pine Grove Galleria for an hour or so. Lizzie and I like to spend our paychecks at Esprit, Benetton, The Gap, Merry-Go-Round, Sam Goodie, and Walden Books.
“I guess.”
“Really?” I lift a brow, offended by the comment. “What am I? Chopped liver? We only have two and a half months to spend together before college starts. Then we won’t see each other until Thanksgiving.” As excited as I am to embark on this new chapter of my life, the idea of not having Lizzie by my side makes me sad, and a little nervous. We’ve been best friends since third grade. What am I supposed to do without her?
Lizzie bites her lip before blurting, “You’re right, I’m sorry. I’m being a shitty friend.”
“Lizzie,” Marty snaps from the backroom, “no swearing.”
Even though it’s clearly unnecessary, Lizzie raises her voice. “Sorry.” When he fails to respond, she sticks out her tongue and rolls her eyes at me before mouthing—I really hate this job.
My shoulders shake with silent laughter as my fingers flutter to the light blue polo and the gold chain that lies beneath it.
Lizzie homes in on the movement with interest. “That’s pretty. Is it new? I don’t remember seeing it before.” She hops off the counter, sauntering closer until she can inspect the necklace. With a quick brush of her fingers, she knocks my hand away before picking up the delicate ballerina shoe pendant. “Did your parents give it to you for graduation?”
“No, it was a gift from Ty.” Even voicing the words out loud has a burst of giddiness exploding inside my chest.
“Wow, that’s an awfully expensive gift.” She eyes me speculatively. “This is definitely something you’d give to a girlfriend.”
When Ty had shown up at the graduation party over the weekend, I never expected him to bring a present. I figured he was stopping by to see my brother. It was a total surprise when I came across the small, gift-wrapped box at the end of the night. The necklace is a slender gold chain with an elegant ballet shoe pendant hanging from it. Out of everything I received for graduation, this is my favorite. The fact that it’s from Ty makes it even more special.
“Yeah.” I can’t help the reluctant smile that lights up my face.
Lizzie’s eyes dance with mischief. “And I know the perfect way to thank him for such an awesome gift.” She cups her hands around her mouth before whisper-yelling, “Boink his brains out.”
“Give me a break.” I swat at her shoulder. “He doesn’t see me as anything more than a kid.” Not only was I fifteen years old when he left for college, I was still wearing braces.
And headgear.
It was horrific.
“You know what?” She doesn’t let me get a word in edgewise before continuing, “We’re going to make our last months in Pine Grove the best we can. Who knows what will happen this summer?” She waggles her brows. “Or on campus next fall.”