“You were having plenty of fun without me.”
“I was. Henrik is a big, lovable oaf. I’m pretty sure it’s impossible not to have fun when he’s there.” Tucking her leg under her, she leaned across the console like she was sharing a secret. “Don’t tell anyone, but he has a crush on Javier. He called him a hot and spicy salt-and-pepper daddy.”
I sputtered a laugh. “Oh, that’s rich. Did he say that to Javier’s face?”
“No, no, no.” She covered her giggle with her hand. “Only to me, which is why you can’t repeat it. Henrik would die, and Javier probably would too.”
I cocked my head. “Maybe he’d like it. You never know.”
“True.” She grinned, and I did too. “You never know that side of people. Javier could be a total daddy.”
I leaned back against my door and folded my arms, considering it. “I see it. I don’t necessarily want to, but I do.”
“Exactly.” She examined the contents of the pastry box, picking out a lemon bar after some consideration. “Closed doors are a great thing.”
I laughed softly. “They are. It’s okay to have some questions unanswered.”
“Sure. I guess that’s true.” There was doubt behind her words, and for a beat, her mouth opened, like she had more to say. Then she closed it, shaking her head, and took a bite of her lemon bar.
“Good?” I asked.
“Mmmhmm.” She wiggled in her seat, a little happy dance of pleasure. The move was so Zara, I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.
“You’re doing your dance.”
She went still and looked down at herself. “I was?”
That made me laugh. “You didn’t notice?”
“Not at all.” Her teeth dug into the bottom curve of her grin. “Leave it to you not to miss anything.”
“Anyone who spends any time with you would notice.” While that was probably true, it was a deflection. There wasn’t much about Zara I didn’t notice and catalog. It was how it had been when we were younger, and I guessed it still was that way.
She hummed softly and changed the subject. “Your grandparents seem like they’re doing really well.”
“They are.” I scrubbed my hand along the scruff I hadn’t bothered shaving this morning. “As far as I’m concerned, they’re immortal.”
She flinched, and I felt like an asshole. I’d never known anyone else as close to their grandparents besides Zara. I got that flinch. Felt it deep in my chest.
“Wouldn’t that be nice?” she said softly.
“I try not to think about the alternative.”
The Past…
Zara’s name lit up my phone for the second time. I looked around, searching through the throngs of people for a place I’d be able to hear her. Finally, I set down my beer and headed outside. By the time I’d found somewhere, the call had dropped, so I dialed her back.
“Maccie,” she gasped.
My heart stilled. “Your mom?”
“No. My-my-my grandma’s dead.”
“Shit.” I fell back on the porch step, wishing like hell I was more sober. “Oh god, Zara. I’m so sorry.”
“She wasn’t sick. I don’t know—how, Maccie? How can she just be gone? My mom needs her. God, how’s my mom going to deal!”
My head was spinning. I hadn’t even wanted to come to this party. It had been Tim’s idea. I should have been home andsober, so I could think clearly, but he’d made the point that I’d done that all freshman year and needed to live a little this year, and I’d let myself be convinced.
