Silence. Then: "What?"
“Apparently, she talks about you constantly. Turns bright red whenever Madison mentions you."
"Christ." He sounds genuinely mortified. My grin is so wide it hurts my cheeks. "I thought she was shy. Like, really shy. She can’t string three words together when I ask her anything."
"That's not shy. That's heart-eyes emoji in human form." I'm enjoying this far too much. "Madison says Tracy normally doesn’t shut up."
He groans, then chuckles. “Well, it’s a good thing you’re coming with them.”
“And why is that?”
“You’ll protect me from being objectified by a teenager."
My laughter mixes with his. “I’m happy to be your hero. I'll see you shortly.”
"See you then."
Less than a minute later, Madison thunders down the stairs in her swimsuit and cover-up. "Ready?"
More than ready. I grab my keys off the table by the door. “Let’s go.”
Tracy is waiting on her front porch when we pull up, bouncing on her toes. "Hey!" She yanks open the back door and slides in, her beach bag clutched to her chest like a shield. "Thanks for driving us, Ms. West."
"Ivy's fine." I catch her eyes in the rearview mirror. She's pretty. Freckles dust her nose and cheeks, and nervous energy radiates off her. Her strawberry-blonde hair is pulled into a high ponytail. "Excited to swim?"
"Oh my God, yes.” The grin that spreads over her face is as wide as Madison’s earlier. “Will your brother be swimming with us? I bet he looks great in a swim—”
“Ew, stop.” Madison holds up her hand.
“I’m just saying—”
“But I’d rather you didn’t.”
I pull my lips between my teeth to keep from laughing. The girls switch topics to their favorite show and talk about it until we’re pulling onto Thorne’s street.
My pulse kicks up. It's just Thorne. I’ve talked to him twice this week. No need to fangirl over him like Tracy.
But talking on the phone is different from seeing him. From being in his space again, where his hard-won smiles feel like victories. Where his intoxicating scent makes it impossible to think straight.
I park in the circular drive. The front door opens before we can knock, and there he is.
Thorne fills the doorway in dark jeans and a charcoal t-shirt that fits entirely too well. His damp hair is brushed back from his forehead. Those arctic blue eyes find mine immediately.
"Hi." I sound all breathy. If it were anyone else, I’d be embarrassed.
"Hi yourself." The corner of his mouth lifts.
"Right on time." His voice is warm, welcoming. "Come in."
Madison brushes past him with easy familiarity. "Thorne, you remember my friend Tracy?”
She’s frozen on the front step, her face turning the same color as her swimsuit. "Hi. I'm. Hi. Tracy. I'm Tracy. Hi."
“Nice to see you again." He steps aside.
"Thank you for. Having us. Here. At your house. Thank you."
Madison grabs Tracy's arm and tugs her inside. "Pool's this way. Come on before you combust."
