Under the Same Stars(75)

“Oh, yeah, Forbes,” he said. “That’s…” He dropped off, bursting into laughter at something over my shoulder. “Dude!” he called out. “What the hell?”

“Seriously!” an excruciatingly familiar voice called back. “Bit early in the night, don’t you think?”

My stomach soured hearing Marco’s footsteps come closer. “What’s the deal?” his friend asked when he’d reached their table.

But Marco didn’t answer; instead, his face slowly drained of color, which made the burgundy stain on his shirt even more startling. Had someone spilled their drink on him? It reminded me of Stone Harbor this summer; his mother’s sangria had left him flushed, his face scarlet. You are my favorite person, you know? he’d said after Connor had gone to bed. We were stretched out on the screened-in porch’s ropey rug, listening to the ocean waves crash against the beach. My feet were on his lap, and I’d gently kick him every time he made me laugh. He was still kind of drunk. I mean it, Mads. Not only my closest friend, but honestly, my favorite person…

I was so obliviously obsessed, I thought. So obliviously obsessed with him to see how obsessed he was with me.

Now, I wanted to get up and leave, but my stomach growled in protest. Connor and I hadn’t gotten our food yet.

“Long story,” Marco said, snapping back to attention. “I’ll tell you at Tower later.”

“I’m gonna hold you to that,” his friend said, and Marco clapped him on the shoulder before making his exit.

Five seconds later, my phone buzzed with a text.

Please tell Connor hello for me, it said. I’m really, really happy for you.

***

“This is weird,” I said, unable to stop myself from giggling a little.

“I know,” Connor chuckled, too. “It’s definitely weird.”

We were standing on my front porch, procrastinating our good-night. It was ten minutes past my curfew, but I knew my parents had heard Connor’s Jeep pull into the driveway earlier. “Are you a first-date kisser?” I word-vomited. “Because I feel like we should probably kiss.”

“Well, I know you’re a first-date kisser,” Connor said, then faux coughed, “Jacob…”

“Okay, rude!” I shoved him, then braced myself for a good-natured shove back.

But rather than friendly roughhousing, Connor wrapped me in a half-hug, half-straitjacket situation. I smiled and settled into it. “Sometimes I’m a first-date kisser,” he said, his heart beating steadily against mine. “Sometimes I’m not. It depends on the vibe.”

I arched an eyebrow. “What vibe are you getting now?”

“Clown,” he said. “Clown vibe.”

I pulled back and stuck my tongue out at him.

He laughed and hugged me close again. “I’d rather not be clowning around when we kiss,” he whispered.

“Yes.” I nodded. “I want to be swept up.”

“Oh, I’ll sweep you up.” He lightly kissed my forehead. “You wait.”

“I will,” I told him. “But you know I’m not known for my patience.”

Connor winked. “Night, Mads.”

I winked back. “Night, Con.”

***

I slept extremely but luxuriously late on Sunday, only to wake up to a text from Connor. Morning! he’d written. Let me know when you’re up! We can do HW at Little Sunflower and then something fun?

I’m awake… I texted back, my timestamp reading 12:27 p.m. That sounds great!

“Hey!” I called once I started down the stairs. I could hear someone moving around the kitchen. “Do you guys want anything from the bakery? Connor and I—”

“No, it’s alright, it’s okay!” I heard Dad say in a firm voice that made my heart plummet. It was the cadence he employed whenever Austin was anxiously amped. “Relax, take a deep breath.”

I leapt the last five steps and turned to see Dad with his phone pressed to his ear, listening to whatever my brother was saying on the other end.

“I know you do, kid,” Dad said, “but going after her isn’t going to help.”

Wait, what? I thought, alarmed. What’s going on? Who’s her?

Had something happened with Katie?

“Austin, take your scheduled flight home,” Dad said. “We’ll talk more here, okay?”

They hung up a minute later. “What happened?” I squeaked. “Is Austin hurt?”

“No.” Dad rubbed his eyes. “He is physically fine, but mentally shaken.” He sighed. “Samira told him she’s in love with him.”





Twenty-Two


Austin’s flight didn’t land until that evening, so Connor and I went to Little Sunflower Bakery with our overloaded backpacks. But after ordering pumpkin spice lattes (the season was upon us!), we didn’t even crack a textbook. I told Connor all I knew was that Austin’s groomsmen had surprised him by inviting Samira on the bachelor trip, which ended with her confessing unresolved feelings for him. “Katie went out of town this weekend, too,” I added, “so Dad’s grabbing Austin and bringing him home. He doesn’t think this conversation is meant to happen outside Terminal B.”