Page 114 of Smoke and Glitter

I slide one arm into my coat but stop before the other.

"I got the flowers."

Sam's attention settles completely on me. His hands stay loose at his sides.

"They made it?"

"They did. They were beautiful."

"I'm glad."

I pull the other sleeve on and smooth my hair out from beneath the collar. "I kept the card."

His jaw tightens.

No question about what I thought. No attempt to explain the third sentence or find out whether keeping the card means what he hopes it means.

The restraint leaves me with more room than I expected.

"You asked me to tell you when I was ready."

He goes very still.

I glance into the living room. Summer is sitting with one foot tucked beneath her while Colt collects tissue paper around her. This isn't where Sam and I should do any of this.

"Tomorrow," I say. "I can talk tomorrow."

His eyes come back to mine. "Can I see you in the morning?"

"I'm free at ten."

"I'll find somewhere quiet and text you."

"All right."

Sam nods, then takes half a step back instead of filling the space with anything else.

Summer calls my name from the couch.

I look over my shoulder. "I've been summoned."

"Go."

There's a trace of a smile in his voice.

I turn toward the living room, then look back once.

Sam hasn't moved closer.

"Tomorrow," I say again.

"Tomorrow."

I leave him in the hallway and go hug my best friend one more time.

The hotel is painfully quiet after Summer's house.

I shower, pull on an old T-shirt and get into bed while my body insists it's several hours later than the clock claims. The room is dark except for the lamp beside me, and I should be exhausted enough to sleep through anything.