I’ll be alone
Well, okay. That would be a topic of conversation between us tonight. At least I had my guest list set.
See you at 7
Lacey and Eli were the first to arrive, as always. I led them straight through to the back yard, where Dad was already grilling burgers. Grant was standing at the edge of the brick patio. After the three of them greeted each other politely, Grant wandered onto the lawn.
Kimberley and Mason came next, holding hands. Her smile was brilliant. His was strained.
She dropped his hand to give me a hug. “I’m so glad you did this.”
“Thanks for coming.” I hugged her back and looked over at Mason. He watched her with sad, adoring eyes. Something was definitely off. “Is everything okay?”
She stepped back. “Yes.” When he flinched, she frowned in confusion. “Isn’t it?”
He slid an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. “We’re good.”
I didn’t have time to ask more, because two trucks pulled up, one carrying Scott, and the other, his father and Kimberley’s mom. I stayed at the front door to greet them.
Once I was on the patio again, I could see that everything was going well. Grant was laughing with Kimberley and Mason. Mr. Fuentes had wandered over to Dad. Mrs. Rey chatted with Lacey as Eli listened.
He would be heading to college in Durham next month. Would they survive a long-distance relationship? Duke was a school that really encouraged a sense of community, and there were a lot of things about Eli that would make him stand out—in a good way. His mom was the first black dean of the English department at Piedmont, so he was completely comfortable in an academic environment. He was a talented soccer player and planning on med school. And if that wasn’t already wonderful enough, Eli had to be one of the nicest guys I knew. Girls weren’t going to leave him alone.
What would Lacey do when he left? She’d already given up Grant because she believed they would be better off apart than together. Would she do the same with Eli? Would he let her?
As if he could read my mind, Eli looked over, smiled, and excused himself to join me. “Hi. I haven’t seen you since graduation.”
“You’re probably right. How was Europe?”
“Fun. Crazy.” His gaze strayed to Lacey. “I was ready to come home, though.”
“When do you leave for Duke?”
“August eighteenth.”
“Excited? Or dreading it?”
“Some of both.”
“You still have six weeks with her before you go.”
“Five. I’m spending one of them as a counselor at a soccer camp in Wilmington.” His expression turned pensive. “Crystal’s been doing well the past few weeks, since she got her job, but that could change quickly. Since you’ll be here next fall, please keep an eye on Lacey for me. Make sure she takes care of herself.”
My smile froze. I couldn’t know for sure where I’d be, but I wasn’t willing to reveal that yet. “I’ll do what I can. She’s kind of stubborn.”
“Tell me about it.” He started to grin and then tensed.
Grant had joined Lacey and Mrs. Rey.
“He’s nothing to her, Eli.”
“He will always meansomethingto her.”
“You will always mean more.” I gave his arm a squeeze. “Trust me. You’re all she wants.”
“Thanks, Sara.” After giving me a quick hug, he returned to his girlfriend’s side and linked his fingers through hers.
“Everything looks great,” Scott said from just behind me.
