"Kent?" he said, pointing to an imaginary watch. "We're losing daylight here."
Sighing, I got in then tried one last time. "Are you sure you want to come? I don't want to be the reason you get in trouble."
"I'm sure."
Tolliver shot me a smile.
"I can't think of a better reason to get in trouble."
Neither could I.
* * *
Viola was waiting by the curb with a backpack thrown over her shoulders. When I pulled up, she took one look at Tolliver, moved her gaze to me, and smiled.
"I didn't know we'd have company," she said.
"I didn't either," I said.
Tolliver threw her a smile. "Hey, I'm Tolliver," he said. "We met on the video chat."
"Oh, I remember," Viola replied.
I shook my head.
"Are you coming to the concert with us?"
Tolliver nodded. "I am."
"This trip just got so much more interesting," she said.
"Vi?" I said.
"Yeah?"
"Get in the car."
Biting back a smile, she nodded.
"Did you want to sit up front?" Tolliver said already moving.
"No, that's okay."
"I'll sit anywhere."
"You're good." As Viola slid into the seat behind him, she added, "Besides we have to wait for?—"
Right then, Charlotte came barreling out of the front doors.
"—my other cousin," she finished.
"I didn't know Lottie was coming," I said.
"It was a last-minute thing."
I started to get out, but Tolliver beat me to it. He took the stack of books from Lottie's arms, and she looked surprised at first. As they spoke, her bright smile grew, and though I couldn't hear what they were saying, it was clear by the time she got into the car that Tolliver made a good first impression.
"Hey, Freya," she said. "I like your boyfriend."
