Page 162 of Dream On, Ramona Riley

Hello, Dolly, well, hello, Dolly…

“Dance with me?” Dylan asked.

“Always,” Ramona said, then smiled as Dylan settled her hands on Ramona’s waist. Ramona looped her arms around Dylan’s neck, pulling her close. She breathed her in, summer air and citrus, laughing as Dylan sang the words in Ramona’s ear, quiet and awful.

“Wow, you’re terrible at singing,” Ramona said.

“Shh, don’t tell my parents,” Dylan said, twirling Ramona in a circle.

“I’ll keep all your secrets, Dylan Monroe.”

Ramona could feel Dylan smile against her cheek. “And I’ll keep yours, Ramona Riley. Every secret and every dream.”

They stayed like that for a while, just Cherry and Lolli, whispering secrets and dreams while the sun dipped closer and closer to the water.