Page 66 of This Kind of Forever

TEN YEARS AGO

My beer tastes like ash.

Frowning into my bottle, I look for embers that have blown from the fire and into my drink, but it’s too dark to see anything. Oh well.

I take another sip as I watch the bonfire crackle in front of me. Shouts rise up from behind me, followed by laughter. Everyone is just tipsy enough to think they’re all hilarious.

I’m usually right out there with them, but I can’t seem to get myself in the mood tonight. Jealousy that I don’t have a right to feel slithers inside my veins. She’s just my sister’s best friend—she isn’t mine to be jealous over. Yet as soon as the thought enters my head, I know it’s a lie.

She isn’tjustmy sister’s best friend. She never has been.

Hallie is in a category entirely her own, and watching Ethan shamelessly flirt with her is quickly driving me mad. There’snothing I can do about it, though. I have no claim over her, and she has every right to do what she wants.

Besides, she doesn’t know how I feel. Maybe she suspects it—Ididalmost kiss her a few months ago—but she isn’t the type to make the first move. If she even feels the same way I do.

Someone sits down on the log beside me. The slight breeze carries their perfume with it, and I’m instantly enveloped in Hallie’s signature scent. I glance sideways at her, noticing the way the firelight illuminates the flush of her cheeks.

She’s always blushing, and I’m always trying to think of a hundred more ways to make her.

I knock my knee against hers. “What are you doing over here?”

She shrugs before wrapping her arms around her middle, hugging herself. “You seemed kinda lonely. I thought I’d come keep you company.”

“Everyone’s here to see you, not me. You should be with the group.”

Her nose scrunches in distaste. “Yeah, but they’re making me the centre of attention.”

I can’t help but laugh. “It’s your birthday party, Foster. You’re supposed to be the centre of attention.”

She huffs. “But I don’t want to be.” She shakes her head as she gives me a shy smile. “Clara was really excited about your parents being away this weekend. This whole thing was her idea. If it was up to me, I wouldn’t be spending my birthday like this.”

My mouth turns down into a frown at that. “Why didn’t you tell her? She wouldn’t have invited everyone if she knew how much you didn’t want it.”

Hallie chews on her bottom lip. “I know. She just got really into the planning and trying to make it fun. I didn’t want to seem ungrateful.”

I sigh. Now isn’t the time to push back againstthoseridiculous thoughts, so I move on.

“What does your ideal birthday look like, then?” I ask. Anything to keep her talking, and to take that vulnerable look off her face.

I didn’t think it possible, but her cheeks seem to turn even pinker. “You’re gonna think it’s lame.”

The breeze picks up, sending a strand of Hallie’s hair flying into her face. Before I can think better of it, I reach out and tuck it back behind her ear. I have the strongest urge to leave my hand there—to cup her jaw and bring her face close to mine and just fuckingkiss heralready.

I shake my head as I pull my hand back. “I don’t think anything you do is lame.”

“Well, um—” Her eyes dart away. “I would probably just have dinner with Pops and then watch my favourite rom-com. Nothing big.”

“So you’d watch 10 Things I Hate About You for the millionth time.” I nod, trying to keep my teasing grin at bay. “Got it.”

Hallie shoves at my shoulder, but she laughs. “It’s a good movie, okay?”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

Quiet settles over us, but it’s the nice kind. The kind I can only seem to find with Hallie. My friends are great and all, but they aren’t her. And when she looks at me, there’s no pressure behind her gaze. No questions about what I plan to do with my uncertain future.

Eventually, though, I break the silence. “Are you gonna say yes?” I ask. I can’t help myself—it’s the whole reason I was over here by myself and not even pretending to be having a good time.

Hallie frowns in confusion. “Yes to what?”