“Okay, next topic.” Erin claps once. “Juju and Camden.”
Juju’s entire face turns the color of a ripe tomato. “Can we not?”
“We cannot ‘not,’” Erin says. “You stare at that man like he’s a limited-edition collector’s item.”
“He is,” Juju says, starting to laugh again. “Do you know that he folds his laundry with military precision? That’s not normal, right?”
Ava lifts her glass. “To a tidy man that makes you blush.”
Juju buries her face in her arms.
“So how’s Milo?” Erin asks sweetly.
Goldie looks at her suspiciously. “I don’t trust that tone.”
“Do we need to talk about the man you look at like he’s the sun who’s solar-powering you?”
I’m laughing so hard my stomach hurts.
Goldie shrugs, unbothered. “He sure solar-powered me last night.”
We all cheers to that, laughing until I feel tears in my eyes.
And then, of course, I should have expected it. They all turn to me.
“Sooooo,” Goldie says, drawing the word out like she’s savoring it. “Dahlia.”
“Uh-oh,” I whisper.
Ava wiggles her eyebrows. “How’s our favorite surf boy?”
“Dylan’s in California, as you know,” I say, taking a huge sip of my vodka cranberry to buy time.
“Mm-hmm,” Erin says. “He’s the only wave you wanna ride. A tidal wave, keeping you wet at all times…” She grins. “There are just so many places you can go with the surfing references.” She lifts her hand. “Oh, the shirt ideas.”
I cover my face with both hands. “You’re all impossible.”
Juju pats my arm. “You get this cute little glow whenever you say his name.”
“I do?” I groan.
“You do,” they all say at once.
Goldie grins. “I have never seen two people more smitten. It’s adorable.”
Juju nods solemnly. “Like puppies. But sexy puppies.”
Ava groans. “Why would you say that?”
Juju shrugs. “Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.”
They start laughing again, and I’m right there with them—laughter bubbling up uncontrollably.
I can’t remember the last time I laughed this hard. Or felt this light. Or this included.
Windy Harbor has given me so much already.
The next morning, I walk down to the Friendship Bench after I say bye to my mom and Chloe. I woke up feeling apprehensive. Full—too full. Like if I didn’t talk to someone, the emotions might spill over the edges.
