“Okay, we don’t need to declare it.”
Her blue eyes glisten. “What? Are you saying it’s not true?”
“No.” I fold my arms over my chest. “I’m just sad thinking about it, and I don’t want to overthink it.”
Daisy frowns. “You worried about what it means for your relationship?”
“Yeah, we’ve spoken about it and said that we’ll work out the long distance for the year, but it’s still scary. To go from seeing him every day for two and a half months to barely seeing him at all. It’s going to be tough, but I know we can get through it.”
“You guys are gonna work it out.” She squeezes my shoulder again.
I flash a quick smile. “I don’t wanna talk about it anymore.”
“Then let's not.” She shakes her head and begins to pour me a drink. “Let’s spend the last party having the best time of our lives.”
I take the cup from her hands and clink it with her own before taking a few sips.
“That’s my girl.” She gently slaps my arm, and I smile back at her.
“Hey guys,” a familiar voice echoes from behind me.
We both twist to find Isaac and Harriet approaching us. “Hey guys,” I say as I lean forward to give them a welcoming hug. “Been a long time since I’ve seen you both.”
“The fair was probably the last time,” Isaac comments. “But it’s good to see you, Ivy.”
“You too.”
Harriet falls into a conversation with Daisy, and I take another sip of my drink. “So, is it true…” he starts. “That you’re dating JJ?”
I nod once. “Yeah, it’s true.”
Isaac’s throat tightens, but then he smiles. “That’s great, Ivy. I’m pleased for you, you seem really happy.”
“I am happy.” I raise my shoulders. “The happiest I’ve been in years.”
“I’m pleased for you. We can still be friends, right?”
My forehead creases. “Of course, Isaac. We’re always going to be friends.”
“Good.” He blows out a breath.
“Hey.” Harriet grabs onto Isaac’s shoulder. “Did you hear?”
I blink at her. “Hear what?”
“They’re planning on a group skinny-dip at midnight.” Her eyes light up, and Daisy snorts.
“Yeah, right. Half of these people won’t have the guts to get naked.” She waves off the idea. “I mean, to each their own, I’m not judging, but unless they’re completely wasted, it’s not happening, and that’s a danger in itself.”
Harriet grins. “I guess we’ll see.”
I glance over Daisy’s shoulder to find JJ talking to Finn, Cal, and Joel. My eyes flick down to Finn’s hand and the relief that sweeps over me to find he’s not drinking. In fact, none of the boys are.
As if JJ can sense my stare, he finds my eyes like magnets. He stops talking and flashes me a panty-dropping smile. We said we’d stick by one another, but we knew it wouldn’t happen that way.
I push off the spot I’m standing in, excusing myself as I walk across the sand. JJ meets me halfway and doesn’t hesitate to wrap his arm around my waist. “Hey.” I beam up at him.
“Hey.” He leans down to press a peck to my lips. “How’s your night?”
