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And this time, that would work in his favor.

* * *

The rest of the week went by slowly for Jace. He spent the time between studying and being on call for the fire department. Except for one instance where a deer took on a car—that didn’t end well for either the deer or the car—nothing exciting happened. Marlowe texted Jace some details about her grandmother for next Wednesday when her class started, but besides that, they didn’t speak to each other.

At six o’clock on Friday night, Jace dressed in a button-down shirt, splashed on some cologne, and told his parents he was leaving to pick up Marlowe. They were less than enthusiastic about that decision. Which meant his plan was off to a good start.

He drove to the high school parking lot to review test questions for the Step One exam. It was quiet there—peaceful, even. Just the hum of a streetlight and the rattle of leaves from the line of cottonwoods that bordered the football field. He’d brought his laptop to run through practice questions but had a hard time concentrating.

Instead of memorizing drug interactions, his brain drifted back to high school. The parking lot had been an occasional weekend hangout spot. Bonfires near truck beds. Music playing from speakers. Kids loitering on tailgates and lawn chairs. The smell of fast food, fireworks, and teenage hope.

He and Marlowe had stood in this parking lot, his arms draped over her shoulders. This place still held the ghost of her, the girl whose smiles had been quick and frequent. Every time she’d looked at him, he’d felt like someone important and cherished.

At seven-thirty, his phone buzzed.

Lucas was calling.

He swiped to answer. “What’s up?”

“Hey, Riley and I just finished dinner, and we thought—why not go dancing tonight?”

Oh no. Jace was already starting his car and mentally cursing his twin. “Dancing?”

“At Legends,” Lucas added like it was obvious. “You said that’s what you and Marlowe were doing tonight. We thought we’d swing by and join you.”

Irritation prickled the back of Jace’s neck. Had Lucas innocently decided to show up, or was he checking on Jace’s story? “Oh—uh—we just stepped out for … ice cream.” He drove out of the parking lot and headed toward Marlowe’s house, picking up speed as he went. “We’ll be back in a few minutes.”

There was a pause.

“You went to get ice cream?” Lucas asked.

“Yeah,” Jace said, trying not to sound like a man who’d been hiding out in a high school parking lot with a laptop and no girlfriend in sight. “You know how she is. Never says no to chocolate fudge.”

“Uh-huh.” Lucas was clearly unconvinced. “Well, we’ll see you soon then.”

“Yep. Totally. Save us a spot on the dance floor.”

He hung up and immediately called Marlowe. Was he risking fate by speeding? If one of his brother’s police officer friends stopped him, Lucas would know Jace had lied and he’d never hear the end of it.

Marlowe picked up on the second ring. “Hey⁠—”

“We have a problem,” he cut in. “Lucas and Riley are at Legends.”

“What?” Her voice jumped an octave. “Why?”

“Because he wanted to double-date—or thinks I’m a liar. Not sure which. I told him we stepped out for ice cream, and now he’s expecting us to be there soon. I’ll be at your place in five minutes.”

“I’m in yoga pants.”

“You’ve got five minutes to change.”

“I don’t have anyone to sit with Grandma.”

He took a corner a little faster than was legal. “You said she goes to bed at eight-thirty. Does she really need a babysitter for an hour?”

There was a pause, then Marlowe said, “You remember the satellite dish incident, right?”

“We won’t be gone long. And Legends isn’t far away if she needs help with something.”