Page 160

For a little while, I can almost imagine Damiano sitting here with us, laughing at the absolute chaos he's somehow managed to cause even now.

Penny's face suddenly lights up.

“We're so picking every Taylor song this Thursday at Midnight Rodeo.”

“Absolutely!” I say without thinking.

There's a beat.

I frown.

“Wait. What's this Thursday?”

Penny looks at me like I should already know.

“Thursday Karaoke, Beer and Fun Night!”

“That's actually what you call it?”

“Yep.” She grins proudly. “Please say you'll both come with us!”

Grace immediately nods. “You have to.”

“Absolutely,” Summer agrees.

“You're coming,” Lexy adds, as if the matter has already been settled.

I look at Chiara, expecting her to save me.

Big mistake.

Her eyes light up with a familiar, evil glint.

“Oh, we so are!” She turns towards me, a smug little smile spreading across her face. “And it's also her birthday.”

My smile disappears.

Traitor.

“What?” Jude's voice comes from beside me.

I look over and find him staring at me. So is everyone else.

“Your birthday?” he asks.

“Your birthday?” Lily echoes.

“Wait, this Thursday?” Ethan asks.

Oh God.

“I don't know…” I wring my hands together. “I wasn't really planning on doing anything.”

“Listen,” Lily chimes in before this can spiral completely out of control. “It's already karaoke night—”

“Karaoke, Beer and Fun Night,” Penny corrects.

Everyone laughs.