“It’s really... creative,” Alex added.
“Quit changing the subject,” Nina said. “But if you must know, it was a gift from a lover who said it suited my personality perfectly.”
Whoever this mystery lover was, I was rooting for them. “Marry them, because they see you for who you really are.”
Nina shook her head. “Oh, no. He’s not marriage material.”
“What is marriage material anyway?” Alex said. “Cotton? Spandex? A polyester blend?”
Nina looked him up and down, wrinkling her nose in disgust. “It’s whatever you’re made of, and I’m not interested.”
“Don’t look at me,” he replied. “I’ve already told you I’m unavailable.”
Nina rolled her eyes. Was he trying to make sure I got the picture? Because I definitely got the picture. My wallowing would have to wait, though, because Mia, Kitty, and Greyson returned, flopping onto their towels to devour grapes from the cooler.
“I can’t believe it’s August already,” Greyson said, her usually sunny face touched by a frown. “You’re so close to finishing the list, Jo, but I’m kinda sad about it too. School is coming, and you guys have to leave”—she nodded to Mia and Kitty—“and I’ll only have Dad to hang out with, and did I mention school? I hate school.”
“Wow, thanks, Grey,” Alex said.
Greyson popped a grape in her mouth. “No offense, Dad. It’s just that, you know, you’re a dad.”
“Really, Alex, she’s explained it quite clearly,” Nina said.
Greyson stared at the sand. No matter what ended up happening between me and Alex, it didn’t have to change the friendship I’d struck up with Greyson. “You can still hang out with me when Mia and Kitty leave. If you wanted.”
“Really?” Greyson looked up at me, her face bright once again.
“Of course. It’s going to feel weird without any teenage girls around.”
I glanced at Alex. He’d gone quiet, his eyes on Greyson. He seemed... upset. Did he not want me to spend time with her anymore?
“And we’ll talk all the time,” Kitty said. “Won’t we, Mia?”
Mia punched a fist into her hand. “Yup. And if there are any Katie Roses at your new school, I’ll be more than happy to give them a piece of my mind, virtually or in person.”
Kitty sat up and faced me. “Jo, did you hear? We’ve decided you’re singing onstage next.”
“Yes, I’ve heard.”
“We should go backstage at a concert,” Mia said. “You can tell them about your list, and maybe they’ll let you sing with them. Post Malone will be at the Coral Sky Amphitheatre this weekend, just saying.”
I shook my head. “Who?”
“Are you sure you’re a millennial? You know, like, zero things about pop culture,” Mia said.
“I know Taylor Swift! And Rihanna! And Beyoncé!”
Mia rolled her eyes. “Everyone knows them. That’s not impressive.”
“Wait.” Nina jumped up from her chair, setting her shark fin quivering. “I’ve got a tremendous idea.”
“I don’t want to know,” I said.
Nina waved her hands in the air with each word, her unicorn earrings swinging along with the shark fin. “Karaoke night.” She dropped back into her chair, a triumphant look on her face.
“No,” I said as Mia, Kitty, and Greyson chorused, “Yes!”
Nina leaned forward in her chair. “There’s this outstanding restaurant downtown that does karaoke on Friday nights. The girls can come too. It’s got an actual stage, a legit DJ, strobe lights, and—”
