Page 49 of Ten Kisses

"Then she shouldn't intervene. Who knows, maybe Sara will meet somebody. She could meet someone at Camp Eden this weekend."

"That would honestly be amazing if that happened. I like our chances, too. There's going to be a lot of people. This is the first time my parents have ever done anything like this."

"What is it exactly?"

"It's a family fun weekend. It's through the church, but a lot of other people are coming. John-Michael invited his math classes before the semester ended. I think the cabins are full and my parents know of at least fifty tents going up. There's going to be a talent show tonight. My dad's excited. He started the fire two days ago. People have been showing up all morning and setting up tents."

"I'm happy you invited me," Kat said. "Are Courtney and Sam coming?" she added, asking about our friends from school.

"No. I knew I'd have a lot going on with Salem being there, so you were the only one I told."

"Does Sara know Salem's coming?"

"No, she never specifically asked me that, so no."

"What about Darren and Michelle?"

"What about them?" I asked, feeling thrown off.

"Are they coming?"

"No, but why would you ask that?"

"I just figured they would be there since they know your parents and they were at your graduation and stuff. They seem to be close to your family."

"No, I, uh, I, no. They're not coming. I didn't even mention it to them."

"Why are you whispering?"

"I don't know," I said, going into my bathroom. "It's his house, and I don't want to go around yelling out that I'm not inviting him somewhere, but I'm not. I'm intentionally not inviting them."

"Did something happen?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm, it's just that Darren… two times lately he's made me uncomfortable."

"Like what?"

"Do you have a second?"

"Yeah, I'm still driving."

"I was helping him with his closet the other day, and he started eluding to… he was… it just seemed like he was giving hints."

"Sexual hints?" she asked seeming creeped out.

"Yeah, and I tried to pass it off as just him being confused, or having a long day at work. But then yesterday, I was over at their house and he put his hand straight on my leg."

"Oof, he did?"

"Yes. And he said some things, too. That's twice now he has said awkward things. Yesterday, I asked him to his face not to say things like that. It's weird how he talks. He makes these statements where I could take it two different ways, and he smiles at me like he knows what he's doing."

It felt good to admit all of this out loud. I had been uncomfortable twice now, and I hadn't told anyone what happened with Darren. I knew Salem would lose it if I told him. He would ask me why I don't move out of that apartment.

I wasn't opposed to moving, but this was the first time anything like this had happened. And I knew I needed to slow down if there was no hard proof—there was technically nothing for me to tell. Even the physical contact, his hand on my back, and his hand on my thigh, could have been passed off as casual contact for being in close proximity. For goodness sake, Michelle had been in the same room with us when he was touching my thigh.

I wondered if he had always been like that with me and I was just now noticing because I had a boyfriend now. I tried to think back, but I couldn't remember.

"Well, I hope he doesn't think that buying those machines means something," Kat said. "Has he ever alluded to that?"

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