I clamped my lips together as I tried not to laugh.Looks like someone is having a good time.
“You know I’d never miss a costume party,” I replied as she pulled me into a slightly soggy hug. Sofia released me after a few seconds and turned to Xander, but I cut in before she could ruin his cover. “Sofia, Ronnie, this is my friend Alex. He just moved here from San Diego.”
Sofia must not have been as drunk as I thought, because she wiggled her eyebrows at him and played along. “Nice to meet you, Alex. How are you liking Laguna Beach so far?”
“Oh, you know.” He made an airy gesture. “It sucked switching schools my senior year, but I met a few people who’ve made the move worth it.” Xander’s gaze flickered to me, and the look in his eyes was so intense, I had to glance away to hide the color blooming on my cheeks.
Of course, Sofia missed none of this. She glanced between the two of us and grinned like a proud parent. “That’ssogood to hear. Nothing like finding your people, am I right?” Her response was filled with so much enthusiasm, I was surprised she didn’t pull confetti out of her pockets and shower us in it. “By the way, can I get you a drink? Lizzie has everything—beer, wine, hard seltzer. If youwant something more festive, there’s an actual bartender making Halloween-themed cocktails in the other room.”
“Ah, how about a water? I have to drive tonight.”
“Sure thing.” She turned to me. “Indie?”
“I’ll have the same,” I told her.
“All right, two waters coming up.”
Sofia flitted over to the fridge, saying hi to friends as she went. While she was gone, Ronnie took the time to study Xander, her brows dipping down in scrutiny.
“Have we met before?” she asked. “There’s something about you that’s so familiar.”
Uh-oh. That didn’t take long.
Xander leaned back against the counter in a slow, unbothered way and crossed his arms. “Don’t think so,” he answered. “I started at your school less than two weeks ago. Maybe you’ve seen me in the halls?”
“No, that’s not it.” She pursed her lips in thought. “Were you the guy in that Icy Quest commercial?”
The urge to burst out laughing was strong, but I managed to keep a straight face. “The stuff for athlete’s foot?”
“I can happily confirm thatwasn’tme,” Xander said with a bemused smile. “I’m not much of an actor. Although I thought my performance as a sugarplum in my kindergarten production of’Twas the Night Before Christmaswas pretty stellar.”
Ronnie’s face fell. “Oh.”
“Here you go,” Sofia said, returning with four waters. She handed a bottle to each of us and kept one for herself. “Figured we could all use some hydration.”
“Thanks.” Xander twisted the cap off, and as he took a sip, Ronnie cocked her head to the side and continued to scrutinize him. Any minute now, she would put two and two together. Which meant it was time to make ourselves scarce.
“Well, I think Alex and I are going to check out the bonfire, so we’ll catch you guys later?”
“Why don’t we come with you?” Ronnie said, hopping off the barstool. “I haven’t been outside yet.”
Sofia must have caught the look on my face, because she hooked an arm around her cousin’s. “Actually, I have the sudden urge to hit the dance floor. Let’s go find us some cute boys.”
I mouthed athank youto Sofia as she ushered Ronnie toward the living room. Once they were gone, I pointed at the back door. Xander slid it open, and we walked out onto the deck.
“So was it true?” I asked, glancing around. There were two couples making out in the hot tub and a few people seated at the patio table playing king’s cup, but everyone else was gathered around the firepit in the yard beyond.
“Was what true?” he asked as we started across the deck.
“The whole bit about your kindergarten play.”
Xander slanted his head in mock challenge. “Do I look like a liar to you?”
“I don’t know,Alex from San Diego. Something about your story isn’t adding up.”
“Fair,” he replied, chuckling to himself and trudging down the steps. “That said, everyone knows the secret to lying is telling as much of the truth as possible. I made a very adorable sugarplum.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m sure you did.”
