Page 179 of The Glittering Edge

“Me too,” Penny says.

She glances up at Alonso only to find that he’s already watching her. The energy shifts, and Penny steps closer to Alonso. It’s almost involuntary, and she can’t even tell who closes the gap between them.

“Are you—” Penny begins, but before she can finish her sentence, Alonso presses his mouth to hers.

There’s so much in this kiss—desire and fear and tenderness. Penny wraps her arms around his neck, and he deepens the kiss, coaxing her lips open with his tongue. All at once, the questions and hesitations disappear, and all that’s left is Alonso.

By the time they part, Penny is gasping for breath. She glances at her house. “I really hope my mom didn’t see that.”

Alonso laughs, kissing her one more time. “Do you think she’ll like me?”

“You did chores. She already likes you.”

Alonso pulls Penny close, resting his chin on her head. Penny closes her eyes and breathes in the scent of him—amber mixed with fresh soil. Somehow, they fit together. Everything makes more sense with him around. She’s about to tell him as much when he speaks.

“Would you be mad at me if I leave, too?”

Penny’s smile falls. “Why?”

“There’s something I need to do for my family. And the news about my grandpa…”

Of course. Penny feels selfish for even expecting him to stay. She puts a hand on his cheek, running her thumb along the sharp angle of his chin, feeling the stubble under her fingers. “I get it. You need to rest.”

Alonso watches her with bright gray eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Whenever you’re ready, maybe you can come over for dinner?”

“My mom wanted me to ask you the same thing.”

Penny is suddenly lightheaded. “So we’re doing this.”

Alonso puts a hand on her waist. “I want to,” he whispers. “More than anything.”

Penny flashes back to Corey’s Fourth of July party. The last thing she wanted was for summer to end, because that meant senior year and college applications and everyone becoming obsessed with whatever comes next.

After this summer, Penny understands that change is always on the horizon. And for once, she doesn’t mind. She actually wants to know what’s next.

As Alonso heads to his car, Penny’s phone buzzes with a text, and she checks it. It’s from Milton:

Keep an eye on Alonso. I’m worried about him.

Penny reads and rereads the text. Just before Alonso gets into the driver’s seat, she calls, “You’re okay, right?”

Alonso leans his arm on top of the Shelby. Despite everything Penny shared about his family history, there’s an ease to his posture. And there’s something else, too—a bone-deep self-assurance.

“I’ve never been better,” Alonso says.

Alonso

AS ALONSO DRIVES HOME, HE GROWS ANGRY WITH HIMSELF. IT’S NOT Agreat look to ditch your new girlfriend in front of her family, but there’s something he needs to take care of. Immediately.

Why can’t he remember what it is?

Alonso parks at home and walks up the driveway, swinging the car keys around his finger.

“Meow.”

On top of a cracked garden globe sits Nimble, curled into a ball. She’s been limping ever since their adventure across the Veil, but she won’t let Alonso examine her right paw. She’s been weirdly skittish the last few days.

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