Page 72 of Starrily

Callie put the cat carrier on the ground. “What is this?”

“Our ride.”

“A convertible?”

“What’s wrong, Phoenix?” Simon made a few steps toward her. “Afraid of a little wind in your hair?”

“Pretty cool ride,” Ava said.

Simon tilted his head in acknowledgment. “Thanks.”

“Whose side are you on?” Callie said to her friend.

“On the side of that car, obviously.”

“Don’t worry, we’ve got everything we need.” Simon picked up a bag from the back seat. “Snacks, emergency rain ponchos, a list of pet-friendly accommodations, a pouch for Theia …”

“A what for what now?” Ava said.

Simon lifted a plush bag with four holes and two straps attached to it, like a backpack. “It’s for Theia. So you can carry her around.”

“Why would I need that? We’ll either be driving or sleeping. She can stay in her carrier or in the room.”

Simon gave her an enigmatic smile.

“I don’t know,” Ava murmured. “If she likes being in that cage, she might also like being carried around like a toddler.”

“And, Jessica made us a road trip playlist,” Simon said.

Callie lifted an eyebrow. “K-pop?”

“It’s all K-pop,” he confirmed.

“It looks like you’ll be having a fun time,” Ava said to Callie. “Promise you will, yeah? At least until you get to your old folks.”

Callie hadn’t told Ava about Simon’s problem, and since it was hard to invent an emergency he’d have in Louisiana that would also require her presence, she claimed there was a family matter she needed to resolve. She tried not to make it sound too dire so that Ava wouldn’t worry, and said Simon was driving her because she didn’t want to fly there. For once, her dislike of planes came in handy.

Callie rolled her eyes. “I will.”

Ava hugged her goodbye and, still holding her, sneaked a glance at Simon. “Told you he was a Leo,” she whispered.

“Stop it.”

“Youstop resisting your natural instincts and go get him.”

“Dear Universe,please, stop.” Judging by the warmth she felt in her cheeks, her face must’ve been the color of ripe cherries.

Ava laughed. “Have fun, you two!” she called after them, as Callie went to the car. “Don’t drive too safe, and don’t spend everything in Vegas!”

Callie shook her head as she sat in the car. When she looked at Simon, he was, of course, smiling.

“We’re not going to Vegas, are we?”

He didn’t say anything, just kept his smile.

“Simon!”

“Relax, Phoenix. Just relax.” He set the key into the ignition, and the car hummed to life. “We’re going on an adventure.”