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Hal and Jace are at our dining tablesurroundedby food.
“What is happening?” Sitting down next to them, I wave at large bowls of chips and salsa and sandwiches the height of the Empire State Building.
“Yes! Cookies.” Jace holds out his hand and waits until I deposit my paltry offering into his palm. “I knew I forgot something. Dessert.”
I keep staring, although something in the back of my mind prompts me to grab a chip and dip it in salsa. “How did you get into the kitchen?”
Hal exchanges a conspiratorial glance with Jace, and they shrug, but neither of them offers me an explanation.
“Fine. Be that way.” I steal half of the sandwich from Jace’s plate and take a huge bite.
The guys’ phones buzz and chime together.
“Ah,” Jace says as he checks the message, cheese and meat trying to slide out of the sandwich he’s holding in the other hand. “She finally made up her mind about the date.”
“Yup,” Hal responds. “It’s time.”
“Time for what?” I’m seconds away from exploding from curiosity. It’s someone they both know, and judging by their fingers flying over their screens, they’re excited about the news. “And who is she?”
“Briar,” Hal says.
“Our singer’s girlfriend.”
“She’s also the daughter of the president of their record label,” Hal adds.
“That too,” Jace agrees. “And a menace.”
Neither of them look at me as they keep texting.
“Hey.” I snap my fingers in front of their faces.
“You want to go to a party with me?” Jace asks.
“Why do you always change topics out of nowhere?” I take another, angry, bite.
“This is on topic. This text from Briar”—he holds his phone up—“is an invitation to her twenty-fifth birthday bash. There is absolutely no way I can avoid it. We’re the “boyfriend band” and must attend and entertain, but there will be others. She throws excellent get-togethers. By invitation only.”
Hal watches me with the concern I know too well.
“I don’t think I want to go,” I say.
“Why not?” Jace chops the sleeve of Oreos with the side of his palm, splitting the plastic open without breaking any of the cookies somehow.
“By invitation means friends, and that doesn’t include me.” Phew. I dodged that bullet. Hanging out with Jace has been easy. We’re always at my place. Going out to a party? With a bunch of people, all musicians with clout, I bet? I’m not ready for that.
I put what’s left of my sandwich down and wipe my sweating hands on my jeans.
“They could become your friends too.” Hal doesn’t meet my eye as he suggests this.
“You’ll love it,” Jace encourages. “An evening of music and good food. If you don’t want to go though, it’s fine.” Picking up a cookie, he gives me an understanding look. “No one’s going to make you. But I will be gone the night of the twenty-seventh. Don’t miss me too much.”
“I won’t.” I lie. I already do.
Later in the evening, Hal sends out a group text that includes him, me, and Jace, attaching a photo he took earlier. I’m already in bed by then, curled up with a book to stave off the regrets that have swamped me. I’m such a wimp. I couldn’t even bring myself to go to one little party. Hal’s text, however, sends me chomping on the corner of my pillow to stop myself from squealing. In the photo, Jace and I are still sporting the cat noses, and even though Jace gave Hal a chase of his lifetime, he flashed the most adorable grin first. We’re still all over each other, and his orange hair highlights are nothing but flickers of fire compared to my wild, untamed mane. I feel like we’re both wearing the wrong colors. I’m the sparks and Jace is the fire. He’s lit up my whole life.
Jace reacts to the photograph with a heart emoji.
Hal: Didn’t I tell you that you should date? Look how much fun you’re having.
