“I’m sure. He’s accomplished a lot.”
I’m so busy keeping an eye on Martha—who may frighten me just a little—that I don’t notice Callum rush up behind me until he’s speaking.
“Hey, there,” he says, almost out of breath—doesn’t the man run miles in every single soccer game? He whips one arm around my shoulders and meets Martha head-on. “Hello, Mrs. Walker.”
Martha grins. “Callum. You remember Daphanie?”
“Of course. Nice to see you again, Mrs. Forbush.”
“We were just talking to your…friend.”
“That’s kind of you. Thank you for keeping her company for me, as I had to abandon her for just a moment.” Turning his head, he peers at me. “I’m back now. Can I steal you away?”
“Yes, please,” I say, clutching my plate with one hand. Callum offers me his arm, and I loop mine through his. “Nice to meet you,” I say to Martha and Daphanie.
Callum walks me over to the fountain in the middle of the yard. The one Kristina had specially brought in for this event. “Are you surviving?”
“Why are women in hats so scary?” I squeeze my arm around Callum’s, thankful for his easiness. “She looked atme so accusatory, and then she called me Simone, and then?—”
His brows furrow. “She called you Simone?”
“She thought I was your ex. She assumed we were dating, and I was her, and?—”
Callum’s jaw clenches. “I’m sorry about that, Fran.”
“It’s fine. I set her straight. I told her who I was and that we were friends. Do you think your parents’ friends have seen our YouTube video?” The one I’ve still yet to see.
His cheeks puff. “I’d guess a few have.”
“You can call me what you want while we’re here,” I say, peering up at him. “I don’t want that video or me being here to mess up your reputation.”
“I’m not worried about that. You can say whatever makes you comfortable. Youaremy friend. We are dating.” He dips his head in a nod, peering down at me.
“Callum,” Kailey says, walking up beside us. Her tone is brash and breathy. “I’m sorry, I thought she’d been deleted from the master list, and even if she hadn’t been, I never thought she’d come. I?—”
“K. Settle. And breathe.” Callum sets a hand on his sister’s shoulder. “Do you want to try again? This time with context so I can follow?”
His sister folds her lips in on one another. The persistent wrinkle formed between her eyes screams guilty. “Mom had me make the guest list for the party months ago. It was easy. I have a master list saved on my laptop. She has me add two or three names every year.” Kailey swallows. “I added to the list months ago, forgetting that I had names to take away. It—it was a complete accident. Please believe me. I would have?—”
“Kailey,” he says with a shake of his head. Neither of us is following his sister’s rambles.
“Simone is here,” she blurts in one single breath.
Simone is here?
Here.
At the Whitakers’ party.
While I’m still figuring out what to call myself—Callum’s friend, Callum’s date, Callum’s romcom remake.
Then, I spot Simone.
Fan-freaking-tastic.
Forty-Four
I shut Kailey out—noton purpose, I realize my sister made a mistake—and keep Fran’s arm tucked in mine. I whirl around, scanning the partygoers until?—
