Page 13 of The Sweet Spot

I lean back on my hands, thinking about what he’s just said. “Well, you have plenty of time. Half the people I know changed their major at some point,” I mimic.

“Funny how that works.” He laughs, recognizing his words.

Saira’s shadow falls over us. “This looks cozy.”

Luca stands, brushing sand from his pants. “Just keeping your spot warm.”

The blond, cotton candy loving friend ambles over. “What’s the plan tonight? We still going to that party out in Seabright? Matty wants to get beer first.”

“Maybe later.” Luca’s light brown eyes flicker to me for just a second before returning to his friend. “You guys wanna catch the movie first? They’re playingThe Lost Boys.”

* * *

The sun finally dips below the horizon, turning the boardwalk into aglittering playland against a violet sky.

The boys—Luca, Matt, the blond—Kellan, and another guy named Logan—accompany us over to the movie screen. There’s no seating, just blankets and beach chairs sprawled all over, so it’s hard to find a spot. Normally we’d have come over earlier and secured something better, but we were a little distracted by the antics of Luca and his friends.

“What d’you fools want from the liquor store?” Logan seems bored, tossing his keys from one hand to another. He’s not the friendliest person, but he seems tight with his friends. It’s obvious the four of them are a unit.

“You’re going now?” asks Kellan. “You’ll miss half the movie.”

Logan scoffs. “Like I haven’t seenThe Lost Boysa dozen fucking times.”

“Whatever,” says Luca, shifting so he can tug his wallet from his back pocket. He slaps a bill onto Logan’s hand. “Sierra Nevada. Get what you want.”

“Yes, sir,” intones Logan, following Matt to the boardwalk.

We’re sitting on the edge of the crowd, waiting for the movie to start. It’s Santa Cruz-summertime-chilly, crisp and perfect. I’d have worn jeans if I’d known we were staying for the movie, but it’s nothing I haven’t done a million times before.

Still, I shiver a bit when the wind picks up, and Luca notices, cocking his head. “Cold?”

“I’ll be all right.” I lean into Saira. We’re squeezed together on top of my blanket, hers spread over our laps.

Luca scoots over, bringing his warmth into contact with my body. Myheart begins to race, making me, ironically, even more shivery. He is by far the best-looking guy I haveeverseen in real life and trust me, between UCSC, the beaches and downtown, there are scores of pretty boys in Santa Cruz.

“Better?” His voice is lower now. Huskier.

“Much.” I clear my throat. “Thanks.”

I wonder if he has a girlfriend. There’s no way someone this attractive is single. Then again, maybe he likes playing the field. Yes, that’s definitely it. I’m probably one of many dishes on his flirty, little smorgasbord.Not that I’d mind him eating me.

Good thing it’s dark because my face just went up in flames.

“Do you live on campus?” I blurt, scratching my cheek. “During the school year?”

“Used to, not anymore.” He checks his phone briefly before tossing it onto the blanket and leaning back on his hands. “We share a house close to it, though.”

“Oh, okay. I figured you probably roomed with one of these guys.”

Luca’s eyebrows shoot up. “I room with all of ‘em. Logan and I grew up together, and we met Matty and Kellan freshman year.”

I pretend to think. “Let me guess—Matt’s always been the one securing the beer kegs and six packs.”

“That obvious, huh?” He narrows his eyes. “What about me? What’s my persona?”

Saira chuckles under breath. She’s chatting with Kellan, who’s sitting on her other side, but I suspect she’s got one ear in our conversation. I link my right arm beneath her left for support because Luca’s question was rather loaded.

“The only things I know about you are that you like churros and soccer,” I say, shrugging one shoulder. “And that you’re going to be an engineer.”

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