“Sera, you have to get it.”
I sigh. “It is really pretty.” I do a quick spin and the skirt flares out and then settles again. I find the price tag, and it’s only twenty bucks. “I’ll get it,” I say, then I pin Maddy with a glare. “But it’s probably not for any dates. It’s just a nice sundress, and I deserve nice things.”
Maddy hmms as she turns me side to side. “In that case, you should wear it out, because I was lying before: Those shorts belong at the beach and the beach only.”
“Monster.” I gasp. “How am I supposed to trust you now?”
Maddy shrugs, then prances back into her changing stall and comes out in an orange-and-green caftan.
“Think this will be cool in Paris?”
“Maybe if you were eighty?” I say, draping my arms over her shoulders as she pulls on a green felt hat and looks at herself in the mirror. “And, like, loaded.”
“Then it’s perfect!”
I laugh and Maddy goes back in to try on the rest of her pile. I don’t bother changing out of the dress, and I can’t stop catching sight of myself in the mirror, imagining the perfect occasion to wear it.
*
When I get home, Luke is out front with his mom, hefting a huge bag of soil from his truck like it weighs nothing. His darkhair peeks out from underneath a backward baseball cap, and the side of his T-shirt has lifted up, showing a sliver of toned stomach. Holding my bag of new clothes, I walk over to say hi. That’s what a friend would do, right?
“Hey,” I say, lifting my hand to block the sun. “Need any help?” Though I’m not at all a gardener.
“Oh no, we’re all set, Sera. Thanks, though. We’ll be done soon.” Paula smiles, wiping the back of her arm across her forehead. Luke drops the bag, and I can’t miss how his gaze catches on my dress. A shiver zips up my spine. His cheeks redden before he turns abruptly and walks back to the truck for another bag of soil.
“Okay.” I try to think of a reason to stay. In years past I’d just take him away when he was done with the chore. We’d go to the tree house or out to the beach and stay until sunset. Maybe bike to the candy store or to Frappie’s for ice cream. He comes back and drops another bag farther down the garden bed.
“Actually I could use your help Thursday. If you’re free?” he asks as he lifts up the bottom of his shirt to wipe his forehead. I stare at his elbow so I don’t stare at his abs. “I’m taking Oliver and Adam out on the boat, and they’ve been asking nonstop if you can come too.”
“Me? Really? Well…” I’m surprised he’s asking me after the awkwardness at the fireworks. I try to think of a reason why I can’t go, but realize I really want to. “Yeah, that sounds fun. I’m in.”
“Cool,” Luke says.
“Text me what time you wanna leave,” I say, and walk past the rosebushes into my backyard.
Inside, my parents are bickering by the old dishwasher, which has been pulled out into the tiny kitchen, the new one sitting off to the side.
“We need to turn the water off first,” Dad is saying.
“You didn’t already?” Mom says, frustrated.
“No, you told me to wait!”
“When?”
“Before.”
“Well, if it needs to be off, it needs to be off.” She stands up. “I’ll get it.”
Dad gets up too, following her down the stairs, reminding her to be gentle. I shake my head and go up to Abbi’s room to see if she’s home. I need her help picking an outfit for the boat. I’d wear the dress, but it’s not practical. I push into her room and find her sprawled on her bed. I toss my bag of clothes her way and slouch into the armchair by the door.
“Ooh, you went thrifting without me?”
“Maddy’s idea,” I say, feeling suddenly exhausted and like I need to catch my breath.
“Tired?” She looks worried.
I sit up, shaking it off. I check my watch for my heartbeat reading, but it’s fine. “Yeah, we left before lunch.”
