“Aren’t we, though?” X says back, refusing to be embarrassed.
Martin stands up suddenly. “I have a declaration to make.” He clears his throat. “The next time Danica is single, I’m going to ask her out.”
“Good for you, man,” X says, clapping. “I hope she saysyes.”
I feel a pang of worry, but I force it aside. After all, here I am with X, risking an unknown future.
“I hope she says yes too,” I say.
I’ve surprised Martin. “I thought you’d try to talk me out of it,” he says.
“Evie’s growing,” Cassidy says, laughing and raising her glass into the air.
“Can I make a declaration too?” Sophie asks.
“Of course, babe! Declarations all around.”
“I declare that one day I’ll be on the International Space Station.”
Then it’s Cassidy’s turn. “I declare…a thumb war,” she says. We all laugh and try to get her to be serious and actually declare something, but she’s not having it.
Now it’s my turn. “Do I have to stand?”
Both Martin and X say yes at the same time.
“Fine,” I say, getting up. “I declare that I’m going to my dad’s wedding.”
“No. Way,” says Martin.
“Yes way,” I say, nodding.
“That’s too much growth,” says Cassidy.
“I’m proud of you, Eves,” Sophie says.
X just smiles at me. “Guess it’s my turn,” he says, standing up. “I declare that one day I’ll be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I also declare that I’m going to finish high school. Someday soon. Ish.”
We all laugh.
“Speaking of high school,” Martin says, “I can’t believe it’s almost all over.”
“Don’t you dare get sentimental!” Cassidy yells. She’s more than a little tipsy now. “Besides, we still have our summer road trip.”
My vision of Sophie and Cassidy and their breakup and what it means for our road trip rises in my head, but I push it back down. Martin gives me a quick look to see how I’m doing. I flash him a smile that says I’m fine. I press my shoulder into X and remind myself that I’m living in the moment.
Cassidy pours herself another glass of wine. “You know what this party needs? Music,” she says. She does something on her phone and suddenly music is coming out of speakers I can’t see. She springs up. “Come on, show us some of that fancy ballroom dancing.”
“Noooo, let’s just sit here,” I say. “Besides, we can’t ballroom to this.” I bury my face in X’s shoulder.
But X isn’t having it. He tells Cassidy what music to play and suddenly we’re giving impromptu dance lessons. We start with bachata. Somewhat surprisingly, Sophie and Martin get infinity hips right away. Cassidy takes a longer time. We move on to salsa and then to the Hustle, trading partners so Martin doesn’t feel like a fifth wheel.
We drink more and dance more and we’re loud and tipsy and silly and all so in love with each other it makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time.
Happiness is tricky. Sometimes you have to fight for it. Sometimes, though—the best times—it sneaks up behind you, wraps an arm around your waist and pulls you close.
CHAPTER 41
Joy Emoji
