“I know you probably don’t practice like this anymore,” Destelle said as I flipped through. “But I remember you making flashcards of words when we were little. When I couldn’t come home when you started high school, I started doing this. Whenever I came across a word I didn’t know, I wrote it on anotecard. I figured maybe there’d be one in here that you didn’t know how to spell.”
The notecards went on and on, and when I skipped to the final one on the keyring, the date read four days ago.VELLEITY.
“Even though I didn’t come home,” Destelle went on, quieter, “I still always thought of you. I know it’s not the same, but… well. I hope you forgive me, Nellie.”
Pressure pricked at my eyes, and I reached for her, nearly slipping out of my chair to wrap my arms around her. Her frame was the same, but my arms were longer, and I was able to hold on to her tightly. “I’m sorry for being so angry,” I said as I buried my face into her hair, inhaling the sweet scent of her shampoo. “For not talking to you sooner.”
“We’re just sisters who bicker and tick each other off,” she said, smoothing her hand down my back. “But we’ll be better at actually communicating.”
I sniffed into her shoulder, clinging to her the way I’d used to when I was little. The embrace was completely different now, but comforting at the same time. “Deal.”
When we pulled away, Destelle tucked some of my hair behind my ear, in the same way Mom always did. Her gaze was soft and exactly how I remembered it, and I felt like folding myself back into her arms and letting my sister hold me once more.
“Are they a couple?” she asked.
I followed where she was looking to the cake table, where Daisy was trying to wipe a fingerful of chocolatefrosting onto Jamie’s cheek. He caught at her wrist, both of them grinning like fools.
“Daisy and Jamie? No.” I actually laughed. “No, just friends.”
Destelle hummed a little under her breath, her gaze shifting. “Areyou twoa couple?”
At first, I had no idea what she meant—until I followed her gaze to Beck. He stood just outside the ballroom archway, as he had earlier, only this time he seemed far more nervous.
And it felt like all the butterflies in my stomach had taken off all at once.
I wasn’t sure I said anything to Destelle before walking away—if the sound of her snickering under her breath was any indication, I hadn’t. A magnet had pulled me up and out of my seat, and I crossed the ballroom to Beck, where he’d ducked further out into the hall.
“I didn’t want to interrupt,” Beck said hesitantly, eyes flicking toward the ballroom as he reached up and coasted a hand through his hair. “Your sister is home, and after everything with the Pembletons, I wasn’t sure if you?—”
“I was waiting for you.”
Beck blinked a few times, as if, even after everything in the garden, he was surprised by my surety.
There was so much to say, but everything was almost wrapped up inside. The DJ cut the music, which meant we’d be heading home soon. “Do you have to take your aunt home? Maybe we could?—”
“Beckham?”
We both turned to find my dad steppingout into the hallway, still holding his half-eaten plate of cake. There were still circles underneath his eyes, but his expression was brighter than it’d been in weeks. Brighter than it’d been the first time he’d seen Beck.
“Would you like some cake?” Dad asked Beck, and then lowered his plate. “Not this one—I’ve been eating this one—but a different slice. Before we pack it up. I can grab you one.”
“Oh, I’m okay.” Beck, too, looked as awkward as Dad sounded, but offered my dad a small, genuine smile. “Mr. Brighton, do you think… Maybe could—can I take Nellie home?”
I looked up at Dad, giving him wide eyes.Please. P-L-E-A-S-E.
“That’s all right with me if it’s okay with Nell. We can take Allyson home. I think she’s already asleep at one of the tables, honestly.” The three of us chuckled. “We can grab your things, Nellie, if you want to head out.”
Normally, there’d be no way I’d leave my purse and phone behind, but I’d already let Beck out of my sight once tonight. I didn’t want to risk it again. “Thanks, Dad.” I gave him a quick hug, careful not to jostle his plate.
“Are you coming to the graduation tomorrow, Beck?” Dad asked him when I pulled back. “I think we have an extra ticket.”
Beck’s eyes found mine, searching. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
Hope and anticipation warred for top spot in my chest, and I tried to clamp down on it all, tried to keep from trembling. And failed.
Our shoulders brushed as we walked toward the exit,and I wanted to reach for his hand, but something held me back. Beck had left his car in the self-parking lot, not with the valet, and I followed him there. We were both quiet, both waiting for the other to start first, until we were nearly to his convertible and couldn’t take it anymore.
“About Lydia,” Beck said, at the same time I said, “About Carter.”
