“It’sWALL-E.”
A choked laugh escaped Sammie, and she slapped a hand over her mouth.
“You said you wouldn’t laugh!” His tone was frantic, but he was smiling at her.
“It’s just not what I expected.” She fought down another giggle. “I loveWALL-E, it’s a great movie.”
Kieran’s brows furrowed in distrust, but he hummed thoughtfully. “My turn. Same question, who’s your favorite musician?”
“Pass.”
Kieran gasped. “You can’t pass!”
“I don’t know the answer!”
“What do youmeanyou don’t know the answer?”
Sammie shrugged, unable to keep a wide grin from spreading across her face. “I have too many favorites, don’t make me pick just one.”
“Fine.” He let out an exasperated huff. “Where’s a place you want to go on vacation?”
She thought for a moment. “Is it too boring if I say a place here in the states?”
“Maybe a little.” He glanced over at her. “But tell me anyway.”
“I’ve never been out west,” she said, leaning back into her seat, resting an arm on the windowsill, letting the warm breeze play over her skin. “I’d love to go see the Cascades. Swim in the Pacific. Granny always wanted to go drink wine in Napa Valley. Touristy stuff.”
“Touristy stuff is popular for a reason,” Kieran said. His hair was pulled into a half-bun, with a few escaped curls falling around his face, whipped up by the breeze.
“What about you, where do you want to go?”
He snorted. “Mine’s boring, too. I love visiting Ireland. Dad’s family is there, they’re such a fun group. My great aunt has a small place right on the Dingle Peninsula. The family rents it out to travelers now, but me, Kenna, and Kellan stay there every time we visit. It has the worst driveway you can imagine, just dirt and walls of shrubs and weeds for what feels like ages when you’re driving it. But once you’ve made it to the property, it’s perfect. There’s a rocky beach, and the views from the houseare incredible.” He paused, glancing over at her. “Brilliant blue water as far as you can see.”
This was a side of Kieran that Sammie hadn’t seen much, not since they were children, back when the world was less heavy and things like wonder and joy were easier to find.
“It sounds amazing,” she said softly.
“I’ll take you someday.” Sammie’s heart skipped a beat. There it was again, the illusion that this thing between them could so easily become something real. “Atticus and Kai can come too. Kai might hate it, but it seems like he’ll go along with just about anything for your brother.”
Words were far away, so unattainable. Why did it feel like there could be a future here? A future that moved past a simple business agreement. A future where they could travel the world together, road-tripping out to the mountains or flying over the Atlantic so she could meet more of his family.
Sammie swallowed past a thick lump. Dwelling on the what ifs, on her desires that werejustout of reach, it wouldn’t make a difference.
“I’d love that. Attie would too. Kai’s fine as long as he can bring his Switch with him.” She needed to change the subject, before the tightness in her chest became too much. “My turn. What’s your favorite candy?”
“Reese’s. Yours?”
“Taffy.”
“Ooh, what flavor?”
Sammie answered with zero hesitation. “Banana.”
“Solid choice. What’s your favorite book?”
Sammie frowned. “You just asked me a question, it’s my turn.”
“Ehhh,” Kieran began. “It was the same as your question, doesn’t count.”
