Page 36 of Catch the Sun

McKay pops up from the log, pulling his backpack over one shoulder. He glances up at the bridge again as Ella reaches for more sticks piled near her feet. “You got a thing for her?” he wonders, nodding toward the bridge. “Like you used to when we were little? I remember you were always saying stuff about getting married.”

My brows pull together. “No. We were just kids. It was dumb.”

“I saw you two acting all chummy at the bonfire.”

“So? She’s cool. She’s funny and smart.” I swallow, following his stare. “Maybe she just needs a friend.”

He shakes his head. “Leave the kumbaya shit to Brynn. She’s good at that.”

“Maybe I want to be her friend.”

It’s true.

I avoided Ella at first because there hadn’t been any room in my life for new friendships or connections. It’s not that I cared about her media interview. I didn’t care about her reputation, or mine.

I just wanted to be left alone.

But…I don’t think I want that anymore.

McKay shoots me a baffled glance, blinking a few times before nodding slowly. “All right, then. Good luck with that. I’m going to head home and check on Dad.”

I scrape my teeth together as I watch him retreat. “Check on Dad” is code for “sit on my ass and listen to podcasts until Max gets home to check on Dad.” I mutter a goodbye he doesn’t hear, then look back up at the bridge. Ella’s back is to me again and she’s staring down into the water, half-draped over the shoddy railing. Curiosity has me standing, and a burning fascination to get to know this girl again has me moving to join her.

I make my way up the ravine until I’m within earshot. The bridge creaks beneath my weight, causing her to whip around with a look in her eyes that wages war.

My hands fly up, palms forward. “I come in peace.”

She relaxes a little when recognition settles in. Ella gives me a once-over, as if checking for hidden weapons, before lifting up from the railing. “Peace,” she murmurs. “An unattainable concept as elusive as a rainbow’s end. Always within sight, yet perpetually out of reach.”

“That’s grim.”

“That’s life.” Looking me over one more time, she stalks back over to the opposite side of the bridge and plucks two sticks from her stockpile. “Are you here to give me another list?”

I stuff my hands in my pockets as I study her. I have no idea what she’sdoing, but she looks focused. Ella bends over the guardrail, carefully extends both arms, and drops the thin branches into the lake. Then she rushes over to watch them swim downstream. “I can if you want me to.”

“Sure,” she answers, sounding uninterested.

I fumble for something to say that might change that. “Okay. This list will be titled, ‘Things We Should Do Together Now That We’re Friends.’”

Ella scoffs and shakes her head, attention still pinned on the running river water.

“One: Skip stones across the lake. You’ve been throwing sticks, but I bet I can teach you to make stones skim the surface. I’m a pro.”

She glances over at me, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

Progress.

“Two: Stargaze. There’s an open field not too far from here that’s perfect for a clear night. My dad used to take me there when I was a kid and we’d try to count the stars.” I hold up a third finger. “Three: Attend a local music festival. Tagline unnecessary.”

I pause, searching her face for a reaction, and see a flash of consideration.

Something has her interest piqued.

“And four…” I clear my throat and take a tentative step toward her. “Go to the Fall Fling.”

Her expression sours quicker than milk left out on a hot summer’s day.

I should have stopped at three.

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