Page 96 of I Think He Knows?

“By the way, big family dinner and birthday cake at my grandmother’s tomorrow night. You should bring Coach Cam. There are always a few random strangers invited, so he’ll fit right in.”

I’m assuming the tomorrow’s birthday dinner is a way to throw Eliza off. Although maybe it’s still on? Her grandmother does the dinner every month and invites everyone she knows and meets on the street. Eliza told me she even invited the barista she met at Starbucks once.

“I’ll be there for sure,” I say. “It’s been a long time since I had one of Grandma’s meals.”

“And what about Coach Cam?”

I pour some cream in my coffee. “Not this time.”

Eliza frowns. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”

“It’s your birthday,” I remind her. “Today is all about you.”

She shakes her head. “The day can still be about me, but if something is happening with my best friend, I want to know.”

I sigh. “Okay. I told Cam I wanted to—slow down.”

Her jaw drops open. “Why? Is this because of the ex? You guys have already moved slower than any couple in history.”

I tell her about seeing Cam and Lilly in the parking lot and them walking into school together. And how it seems like they’ll always be in each other’s orbit.

She frowns. “Did you tell him what you saw?”

“No.”

“So how did he react when you said you wanted to slow down? Did he agree?”

I shake my head. “He didn’t like it. And then he said he wasn’t going anywhere.”

She chews on her lower lip. “Serena, you know I’m always on your side. We are ride or die forever.”

I nod as I try to swallow the lump in my throat. I refuse to cry now because I’m saving all my tears for tonight.

“Forever,” I agree.

She’s quiet for a few seconds, and I can almost see the wheels turning in her head.

“It took you and Cam a long time to get to this point,” she finally says.

“Don’t remind me.”

“I think you need to tell him everything you’re feeling. Be honest,” she insists. “When Mason and I were finally honest, everything changed for the better.”

“I know,” I say. “I’ll talk to him, just not today. Anyway, back to more important things—your big day.”

“Fine, but we will continue this conversation,” she says.

“I figured.”

We enjoy the rest of our brunch, and when it’s time to leave, I hold back tears. Thankfully I’m successful because if I had started bawling, Eliza would know something huge was happening. She’s already suspicious.

“Have the best time tonight,” I say, wrapping my arms around her. “I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

We hug for a few seconds.

“Don’t forget about dinner tomorrow,” she reminds me.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

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