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I allowed myself to watch, for just a few moments, as she walked away from me. She didn’t look back.
With I sigh, I went back to the house, leaving the boards in the sand. Mateo had already gone back inside, and Kenzie was sitting on one of the patio chairs, tapping on her phone. She had her hair pulled into a high ponytail, looking like she’d been out for a run.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
She gave me a surprised smile. “Whoa, killer.”
“Sorry.” I scratched my neck, dropping down into the chair across from her. “What’s up?”
“I needed guy advice, and you’re the first person I thought of.”
I tried not to be annoyed that she came at the worst possible time. “Why do you need advice?”
Her cheeks pinked slightly. “You know the quarterback from Brentwood Academy?”
I scowled. He had the best arm in our division.
“That’s the one,” she said.
“You know him?”
She nodded. “He messaged me online about a week ago, and we’ve been talking nonstop.” Her smile grew from tentative to excited. “He asked me on a date.”
“Wow.” I sat back in the chair. “I thought you didn’t date since...”
“Phillip,” she finished for me. She took a breath to steady herself. “I didn’t think I wanted to either, but it’s been a long time since freshman year. Maybe it would be good for me to move on, get some practice in before we leave for college.” She studied her fingernails, a nervous habit of hers.
“Sounds like you have it figured out,” I said.
She bit her lip, but it had nowhere near the effect on me that April did. “I’m going on a date with him tonight.”
“Where are you going?” I asked. I swear if she was going to his house to ‘watch a movie’ I’d pummel him myself.
“Out to dinner at Viewhouse.” She shimmied her shoulders, letting her happiness show. And I was happy for her, truly, but I couldn’t get my mind off the way April’s skin felt under my hand. How my mind had seemed to disappear, leaving unfiltered words pouring from my mouth.
Still, I smiled at Kenzie’s enthusiasm. “That’s a good place for a first date. So what do you need advice for?”
She leaned forward, a serious look on her face. “What if I like him?”
I laughed. “Looks like I’ll be going by myself to homecoming. What am I going to do without my wing woman?”
She rolled her eyes at me. “You know you could ask pretty much any girl in school and have a date in a heartbeat.”
“That’s exactly what I want. Some girl looking at me like I’m a piece of meat all night.” I shook my head.
“Oh, Diego.” She shook her head and looked like she was about to say something.
“What?” I asked.
She paused for a moment. “Is there a reason you’re so afraid of dating? I mean, as far as I know, you’ve never had a bad heartbreak, your parents are totally fine with you going out. And there’s not a lack of girls who’d be interested...”
I eyed her suspiciously. “I thoughtyouwere the one who wanted advice.”
“Well, I just want you to know, if you’re, you know, not interested in women, that’s okay with me. I’d love you either way.”
“Good grief,” I muttered, getting up and walking toward the beach.
She had the audacity to follow. “What is it then?” she demanded.
