Page 125 of Next to Everything We Wanted

“Hayden taught me some of his favorite exercises!”

Raina narrowed her eyes at her. “You’ve been exercising with him?”

“We had PE together.” Arielle’s cheeks grew pink as she looked away from her sister.

“They secretly like each other,” Adam whispered to me.

“Hey, I heard that!”

“Yeah, I can tell,” I whispered back to Adam with a laugh. I didn’t know much about Arielle and Hayden’s relationship, butwhatever was stopping those two from making out must’ve been a strong force.

Arielle crossed her arms. “Don’t talk about me. We’re here because you’re back with yourgirl.”

“It was the longest week of my life,” I said as I smiled at Sienna. “Won’t be making that mistake again.”

Sienna smiled back, her eyes lighting up. “Neither will I.”

“Gosh, they’re being cheesy again.” Adam stuck his tongue out. “Someone hand me a bucket.”

“Shut up,” Emma hissed. “They’re cute.”

I laughed and blew Sienna a kiss before leaving the table.

“Ivan Hicks?”

I spun on my heel to see a man in a leather jacket behind me. “Hello.”

He extended his arm. “Jimmy Cook. Owner of Moonlight Lounge.”

My breath caught in my throat. Moonlight Lounge was a sixteen-and-up night club in Boulder Valley, not too far from Sunset Melodies. It was a hot spot, and all the indie bands who played there had fanbases twice the size of ours.

Playing there would be ahugestep for us.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Cook,” I said, remembering to shake his hand.

He nodded. “My daughter has been into your band for a while, and I’ve been here for a few of your gigs. I’ve been impressed each time.”

I swallowed. “T-Thank you. I’m glad you’re enjoying us.”

“I’ll be stopping by Friday night. Keep it up, and you might have a new opportunity ahead of you.”

I barely managed to say “Awesome” before he walked away, leaving me jittery. We’d just started performing again after our break last week, and we’d already gotten the attention of someone who could help us reach a new audience. Mybandmates had always wanted to branch out, and maybe this was the perfect opportunity.

Man, Ivan Hicks was back, and he was better than ever.

CHAPTER 30

Sienna

Ihummed Gavin’s song as I stood behind the register the next day, daydreaming about last night. All of that had been real. Just like that night at the Whiteout concert. I hadn’t imagined the way he sang to me in front of everyone, the way his lips were on mine. I wasn’t living in a fantasy?—

“Hello.” A dark-haired woman with a little girl beside her put clothes on the counter.

I snapped out of my thoughts and put on a smile. “Welcome to Stylebrite. How can I brighten your day?”

“Hey.” A smile stretched across the girl’s face. “You’re Sienna! From Chrissy’s birthday party!”

Recognition washed over me, and my smile grew. “Hey, Dina. How was your trip to Mexico?”