Page 10 of Best Vacation Ever

I huff in reluctant agreement. “Fine, I’ll give you that. But I’m not dating any of his friends right now—” barring secretly sleeping with Kellan twice “—so why does he still hate me?”

“Have you talked to him about it?”

“No. You think Adam and I can have a serious heart-to-heart? You’re delusional.”

All I’ve ever wanted was for us to be closer, or at least to befriends. Hell, I’d even take him simply stomaching my presence for longer than an hour.

“Well, we’ll be in Cuba for an entire week. There’s nowhere for him to run.”

He’s right. We’re going to be at a resort in five days. Sure, it’s a big resort, but not big enough for him to ignore my existence.

Maybe we can connect there. Maybe we can take a step forward in our relationship. It would be better than nothing.

Dylan pulls up to the speaker and lowers his window.

“I’ll have an Iced Capp and a jelly-filled donut,” I tell him, looking out my window, wondering what Adam and Jenna are talking about.

They broke up. I graduated high school. Maybe Adam and I can have a fresh beginning, and Cuba can kick-start it for us.

THREE

One Day to Cuba

Lori

I can’t believe I’m walking through the airport right now, my carry-on backpack over my shoulder, boarding pass safely tucked away in the front pocket. I thought my mom would make a big deal over my leaving for a week instead of focusing on my MCAT prep, but I’ve been mopey since my parents shot down my gap year idea. I think they believe that this trip will satisfy my urge to travel the world and find myself, so they let me go to Cuba, on the condition that I focus on the MCAT earnestly when I get back. It physically pained me to agree to that, but I knew I’d have to study for the MCAT anyway, so I might as well get a trip to Cuba with my best friend out of it.

Faye was ecstatic when I told her. Today she even showed up at my house hours earlier than she needed to with all her luggage until it was time to go to the airport. She hasn’t stopped talking since, even while we were checking in and dropping off our bags.

“I am so excited!” Faye exclaims as we walk to our gate. The number of times she’s said that today alone is in the hundreds.

“Me too, Faye,” I say. We sidestep groups of people as they rush about the busy airport, only just managing to stay side by side instead of single file.

“I can’t wait, I really need this vacation,” she says, tightening the straps of her backpack. “This last year of high school has fucked me harder than any guy ever has.”

I burst out laughing. “TMI, Faye.”

“It’s true! I just barely graduated. At least now we can relax on the beach, meet some boys, get your mind off your Sexy Gym Guy . . .”

“Oh my gosh, Faye,” I mumble, remembering how she reacted when I told her about my run-in with Mr. Blue Eyes.

She’s given him his own nickname. “If you were there, you would’ve murdered me.” We turn a corner to get to our gate, and I scan the area for Faye’s brother.

“I probably would’ve,” she admits. “You need to stop being so damn shy! Oh, there’s Adam, he’s waving us over.”

And that’s when I seehim, standing with the group of guys talking to Adam.

Instead of brushing it off and playing it cool like a normal person, or even stopping dead in my tracks like a normal-but-slightly-more-awkward person, I grab Faye’s forearm and pull her through the nearest door. I’m one hundred percent sure our transition was neither graceful nor unnoticed.

“What is your issue, Lor?” Faye asks once the door safely separates us from the group of probably now confused boys.

“That was him!” I exclaim, my heart beating erratically as if it can’t decide whether to be excited or terrified.

“What are you talking about?” Faye asks, eyebrows drawing together and bottom lip pouting out.

“I’mtalkingabout how the incredibly good-looking guy from the gym who saved my ass last week is the very same extremely good-looking guy talking to your brother!”

Her warm brown eyes widen in recognition. “No shit!”