Page 162

“Jackson was there? ThankGodfor that. Where is he now, still in Harbor Shores?”

“No, he’s…he’s outside, being mobbed,” I tell her, glancing around and seeing the flashing lights as cameras snap photographs of my hunky Daddy. She knows him, and knows we were going to Harbor Shores, which means we must bereallyclose, since it doesn’t seem like anyone else in the world knows we’re together. “I really…don’t know who you are. Sorry. I have this hazy memory but when I fell in the pool I got amnesia. The doctors said my memories would come back over time. But, I can tell, you are important somehow to me…”

“You’re really serious, aren’t you?”

I nod. “I’m sorry.”

“Well, I should probably be insulted, but I’m more worried. We’rebestfriends, Mina. Chatsbury Prep?”

“What’s Chatsbury Prep?”

She grabs my arm and starts us walking back into the hotel. “Don’t ever let anyone from Chatsbury Prep hear you say ‘What’s Chatsbury Prep?’, okay? They’re kind of proud of their reputation. It’s a school, where we are both enrolled. Or were. We graduated together. You really don’t remember any of this, do you?”

“Not a thing. Last I remember is being in the hospital. Jackson was there and he took care of me.”

She nods. “He always was the one person outside of me thatyou could rely on. Let’s get a couple of root beer floats and you can tell me what’s been going on since, sound good?”

“I can’t believe you actually drink this.” I grimace as I try another gulp of the liquid.

We’re in the hotel bar, which is right next to the pool. Rosaria actually asked me if that was okay as we entered, as if the sight of the water so close might bring me out in hives or something. I shrugged and said it was fine. What else am I supposed to say? Who’s afraid of a swimming pool?

She sighed and shook her head, but let it drop.

“Nope. Can’t do it. It tastes like shit,” I say as I try to drink some more of the root beer.“I’m getting a real drink.” I click my fingers at the bartender until he looks my way. “Something to take the taste ofthataway, please. Tequila?”

Rosaria’s eyes are wide. She scrabbles at my arm, pulling it down as she stares at me. “Mina, what…? What are you doing?”

“Having a drink.”

She shakes her head. “No.No, you’re not. Tequila? You’reeighteen. And I’ve never heard you swear.”

“Really?”

“Really.” She turns to the bartender. “She was only joking. She’ll have a diet Pepsi.”

“I’m not having a dietanything.”

“Yes, you fudging are, or I’m getting out of here before you get us both into trouble. My parents would lock me away in a tower for the next twenty years if they knew I was spending time with a… Drinker. Whoswears.”

I glare at her a little. Who is she to order me around?

“Fine. Whatever,Mom. So you knew about this fashion thing?” I ask, and she nods.

“Sure, we planned it together. I helped you get your collectionready and put together the entry. I knew you’d findsomeway to get here, even when your parents wouldn’t allow it. Is that why Jackson is here too?”

“He booked a private jet.”

“Wow.Cool.”

“My parents wouldn’t allow it?”

“They want you to go to law school, not be a fashion designer. It’s all set for fall and everything. Your stepdad’s alma mater in Michigan.”

“My stepdad?”

“Er,yeah. You haven’t spoken to him? Or your mom? Wow, what have you been doing since this bang on the head?”

I blush. Like I’m going to tell her what me and Jackson have been doing. “None of your business,” I say as the bartender deposits mydietPepsi. I stare at it like it might grow horns. “So…what areyoudoing here? Did we arrange to meet up here or something?”