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Maybe Justin was the right guy, at the wrong time. Maybe if I’d met him a few years ago, or six years from now, when his mom was coming home, it would be a different story. But it wasn’t.

In a few weeks I was going to leave. It was what we’d agreed upon. Four dates, one kiss, and a breakup. Just for the summer.

We drove on in silence, and I peered out the window. Then we passed the freeway on-ramp and kept driving the side streets.

I turned to Maddy. “Where are we going?”

“Great Wolf Lodge. I forgot my purse.”

“Where?”

“In Justin’s stroller. In the bag with the shirt he bought.”

I pulled my face back. “Why did you put it in his shirt bag?”

My phone started to ring. It was Justin.

I hit the answer button. “Hey,” I said, eyeing my best friend.

“Hey,” he said. “I think Maddy left her purse in my bag.”

“I know, we’re heading to the Great Wolf Lodge now.”

“Cool, I’ll bring it down. Where should I meet you?”

I looked up through the windshield at the parking lot we were driving into. “There’s a waterslide that comes out of the side of the building. I think it’s the east parking lot? We’re pulling in there.”

“Okay. I’ll be down in a bit.” We hung up.

I sat back in my seat and looked at my best friend. “Why do I feel like you did that on purpose?”

She shrugged unapologetically. “He couldn’t kiss you goodbye in front of the kids. Figured if we timed it right, he could get them back to the hotel room, then run down by himself. I drove around aimlessly for a few minutes to give him time to get them situated.”

I shook my head at her. “You are unbelievable.”

“What?” she said, pulling a mint out of the change tray and handing it to me. “You have to manifest your own destiny.”

“He’s just going to run it to the car,” I said, unwrapping it.

“No, he’s not, ’cause you’re not gonna be in this car. Get out.”

“What?”

“Get OUT.”

She leaned over and unbuckled me. “Get the fuck out. I mean it.”

I put the mint in my mouth and looked at her, amused.

“Emma, go meet him at the door, or I will lose my shit. I didn’t push a clunky car stroller around the universe’s largest mall for five hours so you could shake hands with this guy on the way out. As soon as he shows up, I’m going to park around the front at the lobby to give you some privacy. Go get your damn forehead kiss.”

I was laughing now. “Fine. I’m going.”

“Good. Leave.”

“I am.” I opened the car door. “You are the worst.”

“Don’t care. Bye.”