Page 75 of My Star-Crossed Summer

Probably, I shouldn’t spill my guts here, moments away from a briefing with our supervisor. But I can’t hold back anymore. I don’t want one more minute to go by where Vic doesn’t know how much she means to me.

“I really want us to go on that date,” I blurt. “Preferably not in Florida, but I’ve been hoarding frequent flyer miles and am overdue for an actual vacation. It’ll be hot as blazes and I swore I’d never set foot across the state line after that horrific freshman-year road trip that I’m still not going to tell you about, but if that’s where you’re going, then I’m in.” I pause and when her eyes flick to mine, I hold her gaze. “All in.”

“Noah,” she breathes. Her brow lifts as her mouth falls open and I can’t decide if this was a genius move or the most hopeless. All I know for sure is that I don’t want her to walk out of my life again—especially if it’s because she thinks I wouldn’t follow her.

“I know we can’t get into it here,” I say. “But I just want to make that one thing clear because I meant everything I said last night.” She’s so worried about doing what’s good and right and expected, and I can’t blame her for wanting to be professional. But I can’t tamp these feelings down anymore, either.

“I’m not sure I see a way that can work,” she says. “Even though I’d like it to.”

“It’s not like you’re going halfway around the world,” I tell her. But to be honest, even that wouldn’t be too far.

She sighs, planting her hands on her hips. “Long-distance is the worst. I wouldn’t ask you to?—”

“You don’t have to,” I tell her, stepping closer.

Her expression is hard to read, but I know she has plenty of thoughts about this—I just want her to share them with me. She opens her mouth to answer and the whole world stops as I hold my breath.

“Let’s talk later,” she says, nodding toward the conference room. “Roxy and Sophie are waiting.” She stalks toward the room without another word, and my chest tightens—just like it did on that beach a million years ago.

I can’t help feeling like she’s pulling away.

“All things considered,”Roxy says, “we were very fortunate.” She’s sitting at the head of the conference room table, wincing as she sips the cafeteria coffee. “Priya’s much better and in good spirits. Her parents weren’t happy to hear about the incident, but they’re grateful for everyone’s help.”

Across from me, Victoria bites her lip. Her hair’s pulled back in a short ponytail and her shoulders are so tense I could bounce quarters off them. When her eyes flick to mine, a tingle runs along my whole body, straight to my toes.

“And,” Roxy says, “I’d like to commend you all for stepping up the way that you did. Especially you, Victoria. Priya told me she’s terrified of needles.” Across from me, Sophie smiles and gives Vic’s arm a nudge.

“And I owe a big thank you to Sophie, for staying in the hospital with us all night and keeping Priya’s parents updated.”

“No problem at all,” Sophie says.

“Was it the cookies?” Victoria asks.

Roxy shakes her head. “Priya said one of the other girls, Jess, brought granola bars that her mom made. Jess didn’t realizethey were made with peanut butter. Priya only had a small piece, but that was enough to cause a reaction.”

Victoria looks stunned. Roxy’s still talking logistics and damage control, but Vic looks like she’s barely listening, still processing the fact that this wasn’t her mistake.

“You all are doing a great job here,” Roxy says. “I’m so glad to have y’all as my team. If I’m being honest, I wish I could have you three at all of my summer camps.”

When Victoria finally glances my way, I give her a small reassuring smile that says,See? Told you.She responds with a one-shoulder shrug.

“I want to talk more about this later,” Roxy says, “but today’s going to be busy and Noah here needs to head out soon with our fliers.”

“So far all flights are still on time,” Sophie tells me, passing me a list of flight info for five kids.

“One more change of plan,” Roxy says. “Priya’s not flying home today. Instead, her aunt and uncle will drive up from Atlanta and pick her up from the hospital this afternoon. Layla’s also going to catch a ride with the aunt and uncle. She asked to stay with Priya, and the girls sorted this out and ran it by the parents, who gave us the okay.” She takes another gulp of coffee and checks the time on her phone. “Victoria, I need you to take Layla to the hospital and wait there with Priya so you can talk to her family when they arrive. It’s important that one of us is there with her today.”

“Of course,” Vic says, nodding.

“Sophie, you’ll still be here to meet parents who are driving in. Noah, this means that you’ll have an extra airport run for the later flights. I’d stay and help you, but I have to get Mira back to Charleston by one o’clock today.”

“No problem,” I tell her. Looks like that talk with Victoria will have to wait until this evening. It’s probably better that way,because Sophie will be the only other person here with us on the mountain. Staff always stays the night after the kids leave—and once the last kid gets on a plane and the last parent drives away, camp is officially over.

“Okay,” Roxy says, bringing her hands together. “Here’s to a smooth, uneventful departure day.” She raises her coffee cup in a toast, and we all do the same.

When Victoria catches my eye, her lip lifts in a hint of a smile. It’s one of her mysterious smiles that makes her look a little sad—and I can’t shake the feeling that it’s a kind of goodbye.

Chapter Twenty-Four

---