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He hasn’t changed at all since high school—still the same grounded, straightforward, and modest Zach. He never had time for the “popular”kids at school and wasn’t impressed when the latest prom queen hung off him. He, of course, made prom king every year.

“You’re still the same Zach, aren’t you? I wish we’d kept in closer touch over the years. I know we live across the country, but I should’ve called you more, texted you more than every once in a while.”

He finds a space in the store parking lot and puts the truck in park, his left forearm resting over the steering wheel. With his right hand, he reaches over and plucks gently at my bright pink T-shirt and smiles down at my neon Converse and denim shorts. “We kind of kept in touch, but yeah, I’m sorry I wasn’t more present in yours and everyone’s lives back here. I’m happy to see you’re still the crazy, bright, fun-loving Luna I always knew.”

He pulls off his glasses, and I see the warmth in his turquoise eyes as they cast down my legs where his gaze lingers a touch longer than normal. Is it possible he’s attracted to me? I’ve never seen him look at me in that way. Or maybe I’ve never noticed.

The traffic and noise from the outside world are drowned out by the long stretch of silence between us as we study each other. It can only be a few seconds, but the way he looks at me, I could bottle it to last a lifetime.

Finally, he breaks eye contact and reaches into the center console for his wallet. “Come on, Rocket. I need your big strong arms to carry all the shit I need to buy.”

ZACH

There’s not a fucking chance in hell I’m painting my bedroom sunshine yellow.

“I don’t care if that’s the latest trend, it’s not going on my wall. Gray is.” I reach across and swipe two moon-gray paint swatches from the shelf, ready to head over and have the paint mixed. “Look, at least it'smoongray,” I say tapping the swatch.

Luna rolls her eyes. “So, you want to sleep in Eeyore’s ass.”

“I’m sorry,what?”

“In his ass? He’s gray and miserable, and so is your new bedroom.” She nods at the swatches I’m holding. “I’m not puttingthaton your walls.”

My lips tremble, trying to hold back the laughter fighting to break out. I’m not going to give her the satisfaction of winning this round of tit-for-tat. “Whatever. It's mainly going on my ceiling, so you won’t be able to reach, evenwithstepladders.” I had no intention of putting it on my ceiling but I know it will piss her off even more than just the walls. So it looks like it’s going everywhere, for fuck’s sake.

I walk back toward her and rest my other arm on top of her head. She makes a great leaning post. “Come on; I want to pay and be out of here today. If you’re a good girl, I’ll even grab us lunch on the way home.”

“Oh, let’s do pizza. I’m craving it after my morning swim.”

Probably not the best idea since I’m now sticking to a strict nutritional plan to help with rehabilitation and building strength. But she’s doing me a solid, and watching her smile with excitement helps me forget the shit I’ve been through these past few months. If I’m totally honest, I’ve barely thought about the injuries I’m carrying or Amie since the moment I got home, or more accurately, from when I started hanging out with Luna.

We make it to the checkout, and somehow, I’ve acquired three new houseplants and a sundial for the veranda. I’m likely to kill the plants within a week and never use the dial, but again, if it makes her happy.

The cashier rings up my total. She’s pretty and blonde and a hundred percent my type as she eye fucks me over the counter. It's clear she knows who I am, but I’m not about to draw attention to myself, and most people in my hometown leave me to go about my business. It’s another reason why I love it here.

I pull out my black AMEX when I notice Luna shifting uncomfortably. “Put it on this please?—”

“Becca!” she squeaks. “We went to high school. You were in bio-chem with me. I sat two rows behind you.”

I have no recollection of her whatsoever, but I do remember the girls who sat in those seats being the bitches of Eastbourne High, where we all went.

“Oh, yeah. Hi.”

Luna takes one of the plants carefully off the side and holds it in her arms. “Hi, Becca,” she says, looking down at the ground. There’s a story there for sure, and I don’t like the way it’s clearly making her feel.

Once finished checking out, I come up alongside Luna who’s a few paces ahead and striding through the parking lot—the leaves on the plant bouncing with each step she takes. “What’s the story with Becca?”

“Nothing. I’m just notBecca’sbiggest fan.”

I unlock the truck and start loading up the bed. “Why not?”

“Don’t you remember? I mean, I get it was over a decade ago, and she wasn’t exactly terrible to me personally, but she was to a lot of my friends back then. People like her don’t realize the long-term damage they do when they’re mean at school.”

I guess she’s right, but I wouldn’t know since most were crawling up my ass. It was only ever Luke, Luna, and a few others on the team I let get close to me. “Well, hopefully, she’s changed her ways now.”

“Yeah, let’s hope so.” She takes the now empty cart but stops and turns over her shoulder, a sincere look in her deep brown eyes. “Zach?”

“Yeah?”