“Anyway,” I say, holding up my latte and muffin. “I’d better—”
Just then, the door behind them swings open and Nikki comes in, arms laden with shopping bags. “You get me my chai yet, Ev?”
“Was about to.”
Her eyes drift to me. “Oh. I see what the holdup was,” she sneers. “Maybe start thinking with yourotherhead—you know, the big one, between your shoulders—for a change?”
If Everett is affected by her words, he doesn’t show it. “Cool it, shrimp. I’m on it. Later, Ryan.”
He and Chase move toward the line, while Nikki continues to look me up and down. “I don’t get it,” she finally says.
I’m clearly being insulted, but I’m not sure what about. So I say, “Jasmine’s in Hi-Lites. Did you see her?”
“No, is she?Fuck.What does that bitch think she’s doing, shopping without my advice?”
“Uh, yeah. I don’t know. See you later.”
I make my escape, leaving the James siblings and Chase Hedlund’s brooding face in my wake. I decide to window-shop while I enjoy my snacks. The problem is, every few steps I feel like eyes are on me. Every time I look around, I recognize someone from school.
Finishing my muffin, I toss the wrapper in the trash and cross the street, into the main part of town. Downtown Starling is growing on me. It’s really cute: old-timey streetlights with American flags, park benches, and fences around the trees. There’s a little fountain in the town square across from the clock tower, featuring a statue of a Civil War general I’ve never heard of. I’m trying to read his name on the plaque when my phone vibrates.
I pull it out to find a text from Everett.
Everest:You look hot af today.
Heat floods my cheeks. I hate that he has such an effect on me. The school quarterback, of all people. At least Marco had the decency to not be the king of our school in Allentown. We could hook up without everyone whispering about it.
Everest:I wanted to tell you that in class today, but you were going out of your way to ignore me.
He’s right. I was.
Rather than reply, I slide my phone back into my bag and wander past a few antique and thrift stores, which are more my speed. Something about giving old things new life always appeals to me.
I find Maggie outside the Starbucks, scrolling on her phone. She tells me more about the job offer and how I can help her with open houses too if I’m interested. She’s still chatting when someone steps out of one of the shops ahead of us. A tall man with dark hair and piercing ice-blue eyes. He spots us and waves, heading right in our direction. I don’t recognize him, but as he gets closer, I get the distinct sense that I know him.
“How’s it going, Maggie?” he says in greeting, but his smile seems a bit forced.
“Going good, JP.” She touches my arm. “This is my niece, Ryan. She just moved in with us.”
“Ah, Ryan. Nice to finally meet you. I think my son’s mentioned you once or twice.”
His son? Something clicks, and now I see it. The resemblance. He looks familiar because he looks like Everett. This is his father.
I manage a polite smile. “Nice to meet you, too.”
“How’s Dan doing?” he asks my aunt, and once again I sense a shift in his energy.
“He’s great.”
JP’s gaze slides to me. “Your uncle and I went to high school together. We go way back.”
I nod awkwardly. There’s a weird tension in the air when he mentions Dan. I wonder if they don’t like each other.
“So, Ryan, how do you feel about dogs?”
I’m caught off guard by the abrupt topic change. “Dogs? Like a certain breed or in general?”
JP looks sincere now. Enthusiastic. “I run the animal shelter in Starling,” he explains. “And we’re always looking for extra hands to help out. The dogs could use some more walking and attention, so I’m constantly on the hunt for new volunteers.”
