Page 57

“I feel like such a loser.”

“Your date is the loser.” He bumped my shoulder with his. “He could be out there dancing with you. He has no clue what he’s missing.”

I looked away because my heart did a round-off, back flip and I was pretty sure the swoon was visible on my face.

“Let’s go.” He stood. “You’re with me now.”

I’m with you now.

The memory fades, and I roll over, propping my hand underneath my chin, my heart feeling just like it did at that stupid homecoming dance. To a lot of people, Noble was a troubled kid who got dumped in Silverwood by a mom who didn’t want him.

But I always saw a different side of him. I saw the kind heart and the goodness. I saw the boy who tried really, really hard to do the right thing.

Right up until he didn’t.

The sting of that memory hits me like the prick of a thorn on a rose, and I hold onto that feeling.

I can be cordial. I can even be kind. I can forgive him for breaking my heart even though he had no idea that’s what he did.

But I can’t forget it. I can’t.

It’s the only thing keeping me from being that girl on the stairs, head full of fantasies and no one to dance with.

Chapter Thirteen

Hattie

Warm blanket. Dim light. Heavy eyes.

I’m vaguely aware that I’m waking up, but my bed is so comfy, I want to burrow in.

I inhale, turn over, and open my eyes.

Rowena’s face is staring at me.

I shoot up in the bed. “Rowe! Geez! I think I just peed a little!”

“Sorry,” she says, sitting back a bit. “But I have a bone to pick with you.”

“Go away.” I groan, flopping back down and hiding under my pillow. “I’m not awake yet!”

She climbs in and lays on top of me. I flip on my side, trying to pitch her off. She yelps and starts laughing, turning over and putting her full weight on me, sprawling out. I start laughing and reach up, grabbing onto what I think are her armpits and squeeze.

“Ahh!! Stop it, stop it!!” She squeals and squirms off to the side of the mattress.

I flop the covers off my head and glare at her. “Rowena! What the heck, are you twelve?” But I’m still laughing so she doesn’t take me seriously.

“Get up,” she says, pushing me one last time and tumbling off the bed onto her feet. She fixes her messed up hair, but it’s staticky and standing straight up. “You have some explaining to do.”

It’s at that exact moment I hear Noble’s door open, and seconds later, Rowena lets out a very quiet, “Oh my gosh . . .”

I move out from under the pillow just as Noble appears in my doorway, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts.

Rowe turns to him. “Morning, No-ble!” Her voice is so sweet it makes my teeth hurt.

“Morning, Rowe. Nice hair.”

She reaches up and pats it down. It doesn’t help. “It’s Hattie’s fault.”