Page 31 of A Sky Full Of Stars

The spark wasn’t there. Our feelings for other people were too strong…but we came out of it with a great friendship.

So, a week after we got home, when my parents decided to throw Luke a party for an award he received, Jace was the first person I texted, knowing I would probably see Thomas. And like the true friend he is, he’s been checking in on me ever since.

Jace: Is he there yet?

He texts as my gaze flits around the room, searching for Thomas while telling myself I’m fine.

Lainey: Not yet. I don’t even know if he’s coming.

Jace: He will.

I smile, and though I know he’s probably right, it doesn’t mean what Jace thinks it means. He seems to believe that Thomas must have feelings for me too, considering how often he used to visit. But we’ll see. I think he just needed a friend. Like I did.

As I sit alone in the bar my parents rented, it feels like a lifetime before Thomas arrives, and even longer before he notices me.

Despite trying everything I could to get over him, the second he comes into view, I’m right back where I started, and as he walks my way, my insides squirm while my heart pounds in my chest. God, I missed him.I’m just not sure I’m ready to see him again.

“How was your vacation?” he asks after sitting down next to me, crossing his arms over the table as he leans forward. It feels strange for us to be away from my room but also nice. We haven’t really chatted in public since bowling, and it almost feels forbidden because of how much time we’ve spent together since that day. Time that no one knows about.

Yet, because we’re both here for Luke, we can finally be free.

Luke won an award for his contribution to youth football, and we’re celebrating his achievement. I’m here as his supportive little sister, and Thomas is here as his friend. We can talk without drawing attention to ourselves.I hope.

“I had a great time,” I answer, after clearing my thoughts. “I danced a lot, but I lost a bit of the pressure as time went on, and I allowed myself to have a bit of fun for once.”

Thomas genuinely smiles, the sparkle of happiness reaching his eyes. “Go, Lainey. I’m proud of you.”

My cheeks heat at the warmth he’s projecting, and like always, he pulls me right back into his world. “Thank you, Thomas. It was a much-needed break. I feel refreshed and ready to tackle my next adventure.”

“Good for you.”

“How was your summer? Did—”

“There you are,” Luke says, practically falling into one of the chairs across from us. “What are you two talking about?” he asks nervously. “She didn’t tell you about the lake, did she?”

Thomas’s brows rise as my heart races. I wasn’t going to say anything about Jace, so I hope he’s talking about something else.

“She only mentioned that she had fun. What did you think she was going to tell me?”

“Nothing at all.” Luke zips his mouth shut, and I giggle when I realize what he’s referring to. Usually that’s something I would want to tell his friends. But since I don’t want him to bring up Jace, I leave it, shrugging when Thomas questions me with his expression.

What I’d love to tell Thomas is that Luke got himself into a bit of trouble after hooking up with two best friends, one night after the other, and then hooking up with the first one’s younger sister, having no idea any of them knew each other. I found it hilarious until there was slapping and verbal abuse, then I kind of stepped in and stuck up for him. He wasn’t impressed at having his younger sister defend him. Especially when Jace stepped in to defend me. It was a mess to say the least. And one that Luke asked us never to speak of again.

He visibly relaxes when he realizes I’m keeping quiet, then immediately throws me under a bus. “Actually, Thomas, I betyou’ll agree with me on this one, since you have a little sister,” he begins and I freeze, the smile dropping from my face. “Lainey’s too young to date, right? She’s sixteen, for God’s sake.”

Thomas frowns and a crease forms between his brows.

“He doesn’t even have to answer.” Luke laughs. “I can see it on his face. I was right. You’re too young.”

“I’m not dating anyone,” I snap. This conversation is like a broken record.

“Maybe notnowbecause he lives thousands of miles away, but I saw you swap phone numbers.”

“Luke, this is none of your business.”

Luke scoffs. “It’s my business when I’m the one that catches you with your tongue down his throat.”

Thomas’s head whips my way, and I feel his eyes boring into the side of my face.

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