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“Yeah, I guess so…” She kicked lightly at the earth. “My mom told me I could work with her, travel alongside her and help with the business. And I think I’d have no problems getting a job in DC or something. And I feel like Ishould—be doing something big, chasing the limits of my potential—but I don’t want to leave Bayview.”

“Your mom’s been working from wherever she likes in the world. Couldn’t that be Bayview?”

“Yeah, maybe. I guess it’s just about… figuring out what I’m supposed to be doing with myself.”

“Loaded word,supposed to.”

“No kidding. I’m just focusing on the here and now.” She turned to me with a big smile. “Thanks for hearing me out, though. I always feel like I can trust you with these things.”

“Anytime.” I smiled lightly at her. “Thanks for sharing.”

“So now, in exchange, you’ll tell me why you won’t ask Paisley out?”

I wrinkled my nose. “Because I’d rather fall off a bridge and die?”

“That seems a bit dramatic…”

“There’s nothing between me and her. Just a little crush that’s all history now.” I pushed away from the railing, starting back in the direction of where I could hear the party settling down, the chatter dwindling away. “I appreciate you being supportive, though.”

“Hey, I’m just saying…” She pushed off from the railing too, keeping up with me. “Running away from my feelings certainly didn’t work. And running towards them did. Even when it was hard.”

It wasn’t that I wanted to run away. Just… I wish there were some way to convey to Priscilla that it wasdifferent.Some way to get it across without making her hate me for it.

“Thanks,” I said offhandedly. “We’ll see.”

Chapter 4

Paisley

Emberlynn caught me stealing a cupcake to go, and she raised an eyebrow at me.

“Where are you even running off to?”

“I’m not running off.”

“You’ve got that running-off look in your eyes. Don’t think I can’t recognize the look of crime in your expression.”

I pouted, shoving half the cupcake into my mouth. “Harps ran away. I’m tracking her down.”

“She went home for the night. That’s a reasonable thing to do at the end of a party.”

“Yeah, but she didn’t say goodbye to me, andhowcan anybody leave without saying something to the star of the show? So. I’m off to right her wrongs.” I waved the cupcake half generally in her direction, talking with my mouth full. “Thanks for the party, EM. You’re wearing yourself too thin. I’m cooking you dinner tomorrow.”

“God, I need that. I’m dead on my feet. Thanks, Pais.” She paused, looking like she was debating whether to say something. I scowled, swallowing the cake before I spoke.

“Say it, bastard.”

“Nope.”

“Do it or I’ll punch you in the nuts.”

“I don’t have… forget it. You don’t want me to say it.”

“Are you challenging me?” I put my hand on my hips. “Now you’re legally required to say it.”

She sighed, folding her arms. “Okay, fine. You asked for it. Are you fucking Harper again?”

“I—” I almost dropped the cupcake. “Oh my god, EM, I thought we agreed never to speak about that again.”