“I said what I said.”
I shook my head, still smiling as the laughter died down. “Honestly, I think tattoos don’t always need to mean something. They can just be beautiful. And as for the blood, I’m a universal donor, so I see it as my duty. Not judging others, that’s just how I feel.”
The words left my mouth more serious than I’d intended, and when I looked up, Luke was watching me. Not with a smirk this time, but with an unreadable expression that made my skin feel too tight. I suddenly felt naked, like everyone could see right through me.
“I love sunflowers, mangoes, the smell of rain, warm socks. Little things like that. And I’m really happy to be here with all of you, mostly because I can finally stop wondering if all those ‘too good to be true’ stories about you weren’t just rumors. I just hope I survive being around this much coolness.”
“Well, we needed another girl to balance the group. Otherwise, we’d be outnumbered when it comes to voting,” Ava said, and the guys turned to her.
“What? How do you know Hazel won’t be on Luke’s side?” Alex asked.
They were pairing us together. I felt Luke stiffen beside me.
“Because she has dignity. Don’t mind him, Hazel,” Ava said. “What about your family?”
I knew this question would come. I glanced at Luke, opened my mouth—but the words caught in my throat. His eyes felt like touch, more intimate than hands. I looked away, reminding myself everyone was still waiting.
“Well, my dad lives in San Francisco and works in company acquisition. And my mom...” I paused, taking a deep breath. “She’s a pianist and teacher,” I said softly, recalling the last time we talked. It was about whether she should buy a saxophone for our neighbor, who had mentioned he always wanted to play as a kid.
“Hold up.” Summer lowered her glass, staring at me. “Ridley? Anne Ridley?” I nodded. “Anne Ridley is your mother?”
“Who’s that?” Norah asked.
Summer looked at her like she’d just admitted she’d never heard of oxygen. “She’s one of the most influential performers in academic music. How do you not know this? She’s incredible.”
I smiled faintly, remembering late nights listening to Mom practice, her laughter echoing through the house after nailing a performance. “Yeah... she was.”
“Was?” Logan frowned.
“She passed away.”
The room shifted. Glasses lowered. Conversations stalled. That familiar hush swept in, the one I’d come to expect whenever her name came up. Their expressions softened into the same pitying look I’d seen too many times to count.
“My condolences,” they said, almost in unison.
I gave a small nod, forcing another smile. “Thanks. She... she really loved what she did. And she loved that other people loved it, too.”
“I can’t believe I’m on the couch with Anne Ridley’s daughter. We were colleagues, I work at Juilliard, too. I’m such a fan.”
For the next ten minutes, Summer shared my mom’s accomplishments with everyone. She was clearly an admirer of her work, as many others were. I hadn’t expected anyone here to know my family, let alone care. I felt sadness creeping over me, but I was relieved someone else was talking and not focusing on me. I took another sip and closed my eyes.
Suddenly, I felt Luke’s fingers brush my shoulder. I opened my eyes, slowly pulled out of the haze. Why was he touching me? And why did it calm me?
“You alright?”
“Yes,” I said, forcing a smile. “Yes, of course.” Sooner or later, I was always all right.
His jaw tensed, and the lines on his face deepened. As if worrying. Silly. He brushed his thumb lightly across myshoulder. I smiled, but my throat tightened. Luke drew in a short breath as if realizing... Oh no,I’mnotcrying here.
“I think we’re gonna turn in,” Norah suddenly said and got up. “It’s been a long day.”Thank God.
“Yes, we’re quite tired too,” Luke replied.We?
I grabbed the empty dishes and went straight to the kitchen. While Summer kept the conversation going, I loaded the dishwasher. Many hours had gone by, and I needed some sleep.
“Sorry, I thought you needed a little escape.” Luke appeared behind me.
I turned, pressing a hand to my chest. “How do you keep sneaking up on me?” I said, trying for playful instead of rattled.
