“But not too late for financial aid applications.”
“And foranother thing,” I said pointedly, “I don’t think I could go through with it. I don’t want to get married unless I mean it. Not until I’m older and can actually do it right. It’s important to me.”
Because I believe that love is infinite…
Inexplicably, tears sprang to my eyes. I blinked them away quickly, mentally blaming the wind. “And anyway, if I go through with all this, my dad will disown me for sure. I wouldn’t have a family.”
“Are they really worth keeping?” Harper asked gently. “I know that sounds terrible, and I don’t pretend to know what it’s like to havethe kind of pressure they’re putting on you. But if our own family is no good for us, it’s okay to build a new one from scratch.”
“Easier said than done.”
Harper blew out a breath. “Can I be honest?”
“Because you’ve been so timid and reserved up until now?” I teased.
She didn’t smile. “I think if you really believed your prom idea would work, you wouldn’t have applied to UCLA.”
“Maybe,” I said. “But can you blame me for trying? I’d rather have my parents see me for who I am and appreciate my dreams and talents than to have to sneak around or do something dramatic like get married.”
“I get that.” Harper put her hand on mine. “And I imagine defying your father is terrifying. But I believe in you. Xander believes in you, or he wouldn’t have made that offer. And I think, deep down, you believe in you.”
My throat tightened, and I smiled gratefully at my friend. “I’m trying.” I huffed a breath. “In any case, I don’t have to worry about it right now.”
“Emery—”
“So!” I said brightly. “Who’s your date to the Halloween Festival?”
Harper looked as if she’d protest, then let it go. “As of right now, no one.”
“Any prospects?”
“I’m waiting for a particular someone to ask me,” she said, and her face softened. A pink blush came to her pale cheeks.
“Oooh, who? Tell me! Someone I know?”
“No, forget it,” she said. “It’s not going to happen. Not in my lifetime.”
“Okay, how about Dean?”
“We’re just friends.”
Just friends. Like me and Xander. And friends wanted what was best for each other, right? To make each other happy.
“What about Xander?” I blurted.
She gave me a strange look. “You think I should go with Xander. Your fiancé.”
“Oh my God, stop. And why not? You’re in the math club together. You’re both super smart. I think you’d make a cute couple.”
Harper stared at me like I’d grown a second head. “You do?”
“Of course!” I said, my smile fixed. “You’re both my friends, and I want my friends to be happy.”
Harper studied me for a long moment, eyes narrowed. Finally, she nodded. “Sure. I’d go with Xander if he asked me.”
My stomach twanged, like the way it feels when you bump your funny bone—tingling and kind of awful at the same time.
“Great,” I said faintly. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”
