Page 97 of Pin-up Girl

The laughter was louder. There were more blankets on the ground and more smiles. More going on.

While it had all changed, the important parts were the same. The bits I loved about being here. About having the friends I did.

Brodie and Sylvie walked toward us from the direction of the parking lot.

Two more faces I wanted to see here again next year. Maybe Sylvie would stay, maybe she’d go find new work, but I wanted her to come back and visit more often.

I might have to get her talking to me first.

She cast her gaze this way and that, never lingering in one place too long before looking at the next person or group or activity. When her attention landed on Sebastian, I swore the entire park held its breath for those few seconds.

Then they both shook their heads and looked away from each other.

When she and Brodie reached us, I gave her a huge hug. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“I’m not staying long.” She sighed and sank onto the blanket, facing the rest of our friends, but keeping her distance from us.

“I’m still glad you’re here.”

Brodie slipped an arm around my waist and kissed me.

What I wanted Clint to be able to do. Not instead of Brodie, but in addition to. And I wanted it to be real with Brodie. I wanted people to know it, and not have it be for show.

“It’s never been for show with me,” Brodie whispered, as if he’d read my mind.

How did he do that?

It didn’t matter. The more I thought about this, the more I knew I wanted them. Both of them.

Sylvie stood again with a huff, and wandered away.

I was pretty sure she muttered show off as she left us, to find an empty picnic table at the edge of the pavilion. Her back was in the sun, but the rest of her was shaded.

Brodie and I sat again, next to Clint.

Maddox slid onto the bench across from Sylvie. They’d gone to school together, and in a place like this where no class was bigger than twenty or twenty-five students, everyone had known everyone when they were younger.

Just like now, I supposed.

“Sylvie.” Maddox still had his camera at the ready. “Just the woman I was looking for.”

She raised her brows. “Why?”

“Does one of us need to save her?” Brodie asked.

Clint chuckled. “From Maddox? Least harmful person here.”

“He asks a lot of weird questions.” Brodie sounded more curious than worried.

I liked that description. “You get used to it.”

“Kaiju are storming through the city.” Maddox’s voice carried easily in our direction.

Sylvie looked around her. “Now? I think your sources are wrong.”

“See? She can hold her own.” I was more worried about Maddox, if Sylvie decided she was sick of this.

“We’re pretending,” Maddox said.

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