Page 38

I walk into the theatre room and can't believe my eyes. Remi is leaning on Brooks's shoulder as his arm is wrapped around hers, and they're both...sleeping.

"Shhh," I immediately say once I hear Nico walk in, stopping him with my hand.

"What the fuck?" he voices what we're both thinking the second that he looks ahead.

"Is this some sort of twisted joke?" I ask.

"If it is, I'm not laughing."

I blink a few times, thinking that the motion will erase the sight before me. "Okay...just...be quiet."

"Brooks!" Nico shouts with his hands around the corners of his mouth. "Yo, Brooks."

"Nico," I smack his stomach and call out. "Are you kidding? I just told you to be quiet."

"He's going to wake up from this and beat my ass once he sees what's going on."

"Well it's too late for that, now isn't it?"

Nico grabs onto his waist and exhales, and we both make our way out into the hallway.

"I think they look cute together," I say, and Nico squints his eyes at me, giving me a look like I'm out of my mind.

"Don't even plant that seed in her mind, BC."

"Don't worry. I can promise you that Remi doesn't feel an ounce of anything for Brooks." I press the screen on my phone to check the time. It's almost midnight. "We really should wake them though. I've gotta get going."

"Why are you leaving?"

"Because it's almost 12 AM, and it's been a long day."

"But you had fun though. Right?"

When I gaze at Nico, he has this look of hope on his face. Like if I don't confirm what he wants to hear, it'll tear him up inside. The thing is, I did have fun. Too much fun. But until I can separate my friendship with Nico from my romantic feelings for him, then I really have to start keeping my distance.

"Yeah, I did."

He reaches for my arms with both of his hands, rubbing them up and down. "You're a special one, BC."

"The good kind of special, I hope."

"The great kind of special."

I give him half of a smirk and then breath out. "I think we better wake them up."

***

Wendy closed the shop today because she's out of town visiting her niece, which means I get the day off. So, Grandma Ruby came up with the idea to drive down to Jacksonville, which is just a little over an hour away from Wilmington. She told me to extend the invite to Remi, who oh so gladly accepted within 10 seconds of me offering, so now it's me, Grandma, Remi and mom in the car.

"Turn it up, I love this song!" I say when Taylor Swift's 'Cruel Summer' plays on the radio.

"So, did you mention the Cara thing to Nico?" Remi interrupts my singing and asks. When I told Remi about Cara's Instagram Story of her and her friends at the beach, she was convinced that she and Nico broke up. I mean it does make sense. What doesn't make sense is the fact that Nico hasn't mentioned anything to me about it...assuming that it's true.

"Why would I? If your theory is in fact correct, then Nico clearly doesn't want me knowing about it."

"He knows that you follow her on Instagram. Does he not think that you didn't watch her Story?"

"Maybe we shouldn't jump to conclusions. What if he did invite her, but she had already committed to plans with her friends?"

Remi pats my head like I'm a child. "Aw, little Bella, you're so cute when you're na?ve."

I shake my head away from her touch, combing through my hair. "And you're so annoying when you talk to me like I'm three years-old."

"What are you girls arguing about back there?" mom calls out from the front seat.

"Nothing!" Remi and I say cheerfully at the same time, but then Remi changes her tone when she turns to me.

"If you don't, I will," she says.

"Will what?"

"Ask Nico about his current relationship status. The people want to know, Bella."

"No one wants to know."

"Are you kidding? I'd be doing the girls in this town a favor. They're all waiting in line for their shot with Nico Bradford." I shake my head and skew my lips. "You know that I'm right. I don't know why it's so hard for you to admit."

"Okay, fine," I snap. "I'll ask Nico about it so long as you stop nagging me."

She zips her mouth shut with her fingers like she won't utter another word, and I give her an eye-roll because - let's be real - this girl can't keep her mouth shut for more than 3 seconds.

A few minutes later, and we pull up to a cute restaurant with valet parking. We're usually not this fancy when brunching, but Grandma Ruby insisted on a special girls' day.

When we get to the restaurant, Grandma Ruby asks the hostess to seat us in the backyard garden, and I'm glad she does because it's surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers.

"How pretty is this?" mom says once we walk onto the patio.

"Oh, Carrie darling, just wait until you see their menu."

"Mom, we didn't have to be this fancy."

"Nonsense. Go big or go home, right girls?"

"Right!" Remi and I say.

The second that we sit, Grandma Ruby orders herself and mom a mimosa.

"But not more than one, mom, you're driving."

"Isabella can drive my car for me."

"Mom..."

Sometimes I wonder how my mom is Grandma Ruby's daughter. Mom is super reserved, while Grandma Ruby is super...not.

"Lighten up, Carrie," Grandma Ruby rubs at mom's shoulder. "And don't think for a second that we aren't going to pry about your date night with Adam. But first...mimosas!"

Mom's been super quiet about her date with Adam, and while I've been desperate to press her for details, I do want to respect her timing.

"Mother, it's not a big deal. And I'm sure the girls have other things that they rather talk about."

"Not me," Remi says before pointing her thumb my way. "Plus, this one's getting on my last nerves."

"Why's that?" mom asks, clasping her hands together and standing her elbows up on the table.

"Oh, ya know. Boy problems that I wish she'd just take care of already."

I kick her leg under the table to shut her up.

"Ouch!" she exclaims.

"Boy problems?" mom repeats. "You're not referring to Nico, are you?"

"Can we not discuss this right now?" I blurt out. "Mom, today is about you. Now tell us. How was your date with Adam?"

Mom sighs, knowing that she can't avoid this topic forever. "The date was good...great, actually. We met at this Mexican restaurant for tacos, which happened to turn into a club. Who knew salsa dancing could be so much fun?"

"You? Salsa dancing?" my jaw drops and eyebrows raise.

"Is that so hard to believe, Isabella?"

"Uh...yes."

Remi swats my arm. "Ignore her. Tell us more, Carrie."

"There's not much to tell. I just had a really good time. And I'd love to see him again."

"Is that a possibility?" I ask her.

"If you must know, he texted me right after we got home from our date."

"Good job, Adam!" I say.

"The boys we know need to take notes," Remi remarks.

"So...? What did you say?" I ask mom. I look at Grandma Ruby, who must already know the answer because she's smiling from ear-to-ear.

"I said yes!" mom smiles.

"Yes?" Remi asks excitedly.

"Yes," mom repeats.

"YES!" I hold my hands up in a victory stance and shout.