“If my house had a patio like this, I’d never leave.” In the distance, there’s a whoop followed by laughter. “I guess we’re being rude not joining your friends, huh?”
He waves a hand dismissively. “They won’t care. They’re happy as long as there’s plenty of my father’s liquor to drink.”
I must appear confused, because he shrugs. “I still invite the group out sometimes but it isn’t the same anymore. I hardly see them. They’re at university and I’m working.” He smiles. “That’s why I’m so happy you could come. It’s time I started meeting new people.”
“I’m glad to be of service.” I grasp for something we can talk about. “So, um, do you travel a lot? In Europe, I mean?”
“Loads.” He sits down on a cushioned seat and I follow suit.“My mum loves to travel. She still takes us on holiday every summer and winter.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
He takes another drink. “Cities in Europe start to blend together after a while, though. Probably my favorite trips are abroad. Like America. Where did you say you’re from again?”
“Washington, DC. Well, I moved there this spring.”
He smiles. “Great museums.”
“Some of the best.”
“I wish I’d seen more of America. Or even gone to school there. There’s so much more to the world than what’s around here.”
“Are you kidding? You’re living in a dream! This house... this country...”
“If only I saw my world like you see it.”
He brushes my hair from my face and I swear I’m in a romantic comedy. I can almost hear the music swelling.
“I’m really happy I found you looking at that fairy booth at the market, Elle. You’re exactly what I need right now.”
He shifts his weight toward me and my heart threatens to give out. His lips are full and I want to bite them. And then take a picture of myself biting them and make that my new phone case.
“Youarse!” The yell cuts through the evening stillness.
Will pulls back and groans. “My friends have the worst timing.”
I want to grab his hands and make him stay here with me. Instead, we hurry around the outside of the house to the wide manicured yard in the back. There are at least twenty people here, including a group of guys muttering and shooting glares at someone across the lawn.
Dev.
“Oi, Will!” one of the guys calls. “Who’s this tosser you got us as bowler? He threw the ball at Charlie’s face.”
I rush to Dev’s side. “What’s going on?” I whisper. “You hit that guy in theface?”
He scowls at me. “It’s not my fault that moron missed the ball by a mile. He’s probably on his fifth drink.”
“That’s the point!” I check if everyone’s still glaring at us. “Everyone’s drunk here. You couldn’t just lob a softball at him?”
“That’s not even how cricket works!”
I exhale and go to Will’s side. He’s pulled Charlie from the ground but the guy is groaning and holding his eye like it’s about to fall out.
“Dev is really sorry. He didn’t mean to.”
Charlie mumbles something unintelligible.
Will brushes off his back and the others huddle closer, cutting me out of the circle.
I nudge my toe through the grass, which is so thick it looks fake, and spot some acorns. They’re adorable—round, intact, and tiny. They would be perfect as the roof of a little fairy house. Will is still talking so I hurry over and scoop up a handful.
