Gavin’s feet kicked up sand as he continued to pace. He ran a hand through his hair—he had done it so many times in the past hour he was sure it stuck up in a wild mess.
“Dude, you need to chill,” Dylan said, grabbing him by the arms. “She’ll be here.”
“What if she’s not?” Another thought hit him. “What if she’s sick?”
“Gavin, stop. She’s fine. Her parents said they would get her here.”
“I know, but…” His words trailed off as a flash of purple caught his eye. He whispered, “She’s here.”
Dylan let go and turned to stand next to him. He said something, but Gavin couldn’t hear him. All of his attention was on Lila as she strode toward them. Her shy smile made his stomach flip. Her parents stopped near his mom at the top of the hill, where she served ice cream from the Scoop’s supplies, and all three watched in awe.
“Hi,” Lila said when she reached him. Dylan smacked him on the shoulder and left them alone.
“Hi,” Gavin replied. “You came.”
“My dad made me.”
Gavin’s smile fell, but then he noticed her biting her lip. He laughed and reached for her. As he wrapped his arms around her, he whispered, “You’re such a brat.”
Her head rested on his shoulder. When he felt her slightly shake with laughter, he kissed the top of her hair and squeezed her tight. He didn’t know where they stood. But despite it being his graduation party, that night was about her creating memories and checking off some of the last things on her bucket list.
“Ready to have some fun?” he asked, pulling away and grabbing her phone to take pictures.
She rolled her eyes. “I guess.”
21
Saturday
For over an hour, Gavin dragged her around as he talked to different people. They were all from their high school—it seemed like their entire graduating class showed up for his party. Just as he said they would have for hers had they joined forces. Some even had their families with them. With the Scoop sitting on the hill above, the lake’s beach always had visitors, but she’d never seen so many people there at once.
Music played from the speakers set up all around. Different foods and snacks covered a handful of tables, and coolers sat everywhere full of drinks. Gavin talked about college with a couple others who were also heading off to Maslair in the fall, and Lila stood quietly by his side.
“What about you, Lila?” Kyle asked.
Being addressed surprised her. Especially by him. “I’m taking online business classes for now.”
“Yep,” Kaley said. “She’s got some really awesome plans.”
Gavin looked at Lila. “Oh?”
“Um…” She crossed her arms over her stomach. “I want to help expand the Scoop. It’s doing really well, and I have a lot of ideas. I just don’t know the best way to make them happen.”
“That’s great,” Kyle said.
The conversation went back to the others. She saw Gavin smiling at her, but she refused to look at him. Her stomach fluttered too much from the heat in his gaze. The only person who’d known why she wanted a business degree besides her parents and Mrs. Miller was Beth Ann. Lila had only told Kaley about it the night before.
Lila brushed a piece of hair back behind her ear, trying to hide the need to rub the side of her head. The dull pain had returned, and it grew worse since arriving.
“You okay?” Gavin whispered in her ear.
She nodded but knew he saw through the lie.
“Excuse us,” he said to the others before steering her to a nearby picnic table in the grassy area surrounding the sand, grabbing a couple water bottles on the way.
They sat in the shade of a large umbrella, and she was grateful he picked a table off to the side away from most of the people and noise. Her parents watched from a distance, but Gavin held a hand up to them, waving that he’d take care of her before cracking open a water.
“Here, drink this,” he said, handing it to Lila. “Why didn’t you say something? If you need to rest—”
“I’m fine, Gavin. The headache is just getting a little worse.” She took a drink of the refreshing water.
“Have you eaten today?”
She laughed, nearly choking. At his raised brow, she said, “Not since breakfast. I have a normal headache?”
“Come on, let’s get you some food,” he said, shaking his head with a grin. “Then, you can tell me more about these plans you have for my family’s business.”
She let out a soft laugh and agreed. As they reached one of the food tables, a familiar voice called out Lila’s name. She turned around and screamed as Beth Ann nearly tackled her in a hug.
“Surprise!”
“What are you doing here?” Lila asked when they separated.
“I couldn’t miss the best party of the year,” her friend said.
A pair of arms slid around Beth Ann’s waist, and her feet left the ground as Dylan lifted her. “You know that’s right.”
“I’m so happy you’re here,” Lila said when he sat her back down. She hesitated, not knowing where to start. Dylan nodded, and she noticed the sadness in Beth Ann’s features. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
Beth Ann hugged her once more. “I understand why you didn’t.” She leaned back but held onto Lila’s hands. “Just promise to keep me updated. And no more secrets!”
Gavin moved up beside Lila holding two plates, each with a cheeseburger and chips. “Bethy, you made it!”
He gave her an awkward, one-armed hug while balancing the plates. The four of them sat at a table to eat, and Beth Ann told them all about her apartment and the excitement of New York. Lila’s eyes burned as she thought, This is what high school should have been like.
Beneath the table, as if he could sense her thoughts, Gavin entwined their fingers. Her focus shifted to keep her breathing steady.
“Lila.” Beth Ann snapped a finger in front of her face.
She shook her head
