I fell in step next to him. The lights and noise faded behind us, and fireflies lit the way as the grass turned to sand.
“We sort of just got here, but yeah. I guess.”
“Oh, come on, you made the Kai connection. I figured you’d be over the moon.”
I loved that he used the same expression as my dad to describe happiness.
“I’m still in shock that it happened.”
“I’m not. Why wouldn’t he chat up someone like you?”
“Because I’m not a 4.0 pickleball player.” I laughed, bumping my shoulder against his. “You told me yourself that’s his criteria.”
“Revisionist history.” He cocked an eyebrow. “I never said that was his criteria for hanging out with someone. You told me you wanted toplaywith him. Remember?”
“Fine.” I sighed. “You’re right, I did.”
“And now you’re ready.” Owen paused. “Ish.”
We both went silent as we considered what that meant.
“No sign of the death wish crew.” I gestured down at the empty docks. “I guess someone talked some sense into them?”
“Or they couldn’t find the keys.” He snorted softly.
“Wanna walk all the way down? It’s pretty out here.”
Owen glanced back toward the chaos of the party. “Definitely.”
I felt my shoulders unfurl once we hit the end of the dock. The bay breeze did its thing, sending a wave of goose bumps up my arms even though the night was warm. Based on the sounds echoing from various parts along the shoreline, we weren’t the only ones celebrating.
“Let’s sit for a minute,” I suggested.
“Okay, but not for too long. You need to seal the deal tonight.”
Owen seemed even more preoccupied than usual with my connection to Kai.
We both lowered ourselves to the edge of the dock, letting our legs dangle off the edge. I took a sip of prosecco, and when my head went that much woozier, I finally figured out that I needed to slow down.
“Sealing the deal will be much easier now that Jet Skiing is off the table,” I said. “Howdid they think they were going to manage it?”
“Psh, it probably would’ve been fine.” Owen swiped his hand through the air. “Bad things don’t happen to people like Kai.”
There was an edge to his voice.
“What do you mean?”
“Ah, right, you barely know him.” Owen took a sip of Wave Chaser IPA, then looked over at me. “Kai lives his life on easy mode.”
It was the first time I’d heard Owen say anything less than positive about Kai.
“Seriously?”
Owen nodded as he took another swig from the can. “Can’t you tell? He’s got that charmed-life vibe.”
Italmostsounded like Owen was jealous.
My eyes had adjusted to the inky-black darkness, so I could pick up on his drawn expression. Eyebrows furrowed, mouth downturned.
