She looked up at his face. His expression hadn’t changed. He didn’t look shocked. Or alarmed. Or betrayed.
“I hope your friend isn’t worried,” he said. “Did you text her?”
“I . . .” Julia said.
Wyatt let go of her and started picking up their trash. His shirt had fallen to the ground. He slung it over his shoulder and stood up.
Julia was still sitting on the log.
He held out his hand. “Come on. I’ll walk with you. I don’t want you to wander into the soybeans.”
She looked at his hand for a few seconds, then took it. Wyatt pulled her up, then shifted his grip to hold her hand. “You got everything?”
She nodded.
They stood there together. Under a light so bright, it should be illegal.
Julia’s mouth felt tight and dry. Her eyes still felt gummy. She licked her lips.
Wyatt Hardy ducked down and kissed her.
He kissed her, knowingfull wellwho she was.
Her mouth stayed open when he pulled away. (Maybe it had been more likely all along that he knew her, but it still made infinitely less sense.)
Wyatt tugged on her hand, and she followed him, walking along the gravel road as cars drove by on their way out of the lot.
“Hey ...” she said. She still couldn’t say his name.
He looked down at her. He was still smiling. His lips were red.
Julia wanted to ask him why he’d winked at her. Why he’d looked at her like she was good news.
“What were you arguing with your friends about?” she asked.
Wyatt laughed and swung their hands. “You’ll think it’s stupid.”
“Maybe,” she said. “Tell me anyway.”
“I was mad at them for messing around. I didn’t want to miss the movie.”
He was grinning at her. For a second, she couldn’t help but grin back.
“You’ve never smiled at me before,” Wyatt said, squeezing her hand.
Before Julia could say anything—what was she supposed tosay?—he pointed. “Hey, is that your friend? The new girl?”
Julia squinted. They were getting close to the snack bar. Chloe was standing there with her arms folded. She was wearing Aiden’s sweatshirt and shorts so short you couldn’t see them.
“Yeah,” Julia said.
“She looks upset.”
Julia couldn’t see Chloe’s face. She still hadn’t replied to her texts ...
“I have to go.” Julia let go of Wyatt’s hand. She had to get to Chloe—Chloe was probably so worried. If the tables were turned, Julia would be in a panic.
“Julia!” Wyatt called after her. “Wait!”
