I tried not to laugh. Really, I did. But how could I not?
“With all the songs in the world—intwoworlds—and this coming from a champion athlete, that’s what you choose?” I said through fits of laughter.
“Hey.” She nudged me. “Hanson was a very important part of my growing-up years.”
“I don’t know if I’d spread that around,” I goaded her. “Or mention it to your true love.”
“Listen, if he can’t deal with that, he’s not my true love.”
“Fair point.”
She glanced at me, her eyes sparkling. She was barely breathing hard even though our pace was strong. “Well, what would your song be?” she asked. “Let me guess: ‘Sexy and I Know It’?”
“You think I’m sexy?” It was a foolish question to ask, but it was sad how badly I wanted her to say yes.
“I think everyone thinks that.”
“But do you?” It felt like I was putting my heart on the line.
“Very much so,” she whispered.
I smiled. Too pleased. Too undone by her.
“Um . . . you never said what your song is.” She seemed eager to change the subject.
“Hands down, ‘Barbie Girl.’”
She narrowed her eyes. “Now you’re just teasing me.”
“You got me.” I grinned. “I’d have to go with the classic—‘Lose Yourself.’”
Her face lit up. “You know, I did a floor routine to that song once. Perfect D and E scores.” She said it like she was lost in the memory—almost like it belonged to someone else.
“I remember,” I mumbled. “You were amazing.”
“It wasn’t really me.”
“I know you think that,” I said. “But it was you. Your divinity is part of you. Even so . . . I have a feeling your mortal side was pretty bad a.”
“Bad a?” She blinked. “Huh?”
“I stand by the saying.” I laughed. “Junie has a habit of repeating everything I say, and she came to love the word ‘ass’ a little too much. Worse, she used it in such hilarious ways, I always ended up laughing instead of trying to correct her.”
Demi laughed, and it sounded like home to me.
“That doesn’t surprise me at all. She’s like a mini adult. Except smarter.”
“She certainly keeps her mom and me on our toes.”
Demi slowed her pace, her steps quieter now against the pine-needled trail. “Do you miss her mom?”
I thought about Carmen. About our romantic relationship that never quite fit—even though, on paper, it should’ve been the perfect size.
“We’re still good friends,” I said. “And for some reason, that works better for us. We talk every day. And of course, Junie will always connect us. But I don’t miss being married to her, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Demi pressed her lips together, like she was holding something back. I had a feeling I knew what it was.
“Yes,” I admitted. “I knew from the start that our relationship wouldn’t last. That she wasn’t meant for me.” I paused, the forest quiet around us—just the rustle of leaves and the distant call of a bird. “My heart warned me. So did my siblings. My father. Even your father.”
