Page 69 of Roses in Summer

“Let’s get you home. I need to get back to the city.”

“Oh, of course. Sorry.”

He hums in response, his response so different from his verbosity from two minutes ago. I get up from the swing, letting it hit me in the thighs as I step away.

Starting forward, I let my legs carry me back toward my house, Lincoln walking quietly beside me. Unlike our short walk out here, the air isn’t tense with unspoken questions. We eat up the distance quickly, and I lead Lincoln to his cherry-red car.

Standing on the lawn in front of my house, I watch him round the hood of his sporty car, his eyes on me the entire time. He pulls open the door and leans against the roof. “Remember what I said, Seraphina. Answer me when I text, okay?”

I nod, wordlessly confirming his statement.

“Get some sleep, ciern.”

“Goodnight, Lincoln.”

He tips his chin in acknowledgment and slides into the driver’s seat, turning the car on with a soft purr of the engine. His windows are tinted, preventing me from seeing inside, especially in the darkness, but I imagine that his eyes are on me up until he starts to pull away from the curb and creep down the street.

I watch him for a few seconds before turning on my heel and walking back toward the front porch. I’m ready to go home, to analyze and dissect tonight in the comfort of my room.

Just as I’m walking through the front door, my phone goes off, vibrating inside my jeans pocket. I fish out my phone, holding it up to my face to unlock it without looking at the notification.

As soon as the screen unlocks, I see a new text message.

Lincoln: Sleep well, ciern.

I swallow the lump in my throat from his text, my fingers hovering over the screen.

Seraphina: Don’t text and drive.

His reply is instant.

Lincoln: Goodnight, Seraphina. We’ll talk soon.

I bite my bottom lip, worrying it between my teeth. His words are simple, but the meaning is unmistakable: Lincoln Simmons isn’t going to leave me alone.

Walking back inside, I come to a halt at Liv sitting on the steps just beyond the front door, her knees bent and her arms hugging them to her chest.

“Livvy? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, just waiting for you. You ready to go? B is staying here tonight.” Her voice is flat, completely devoid of emotion.

“Did something happen with Rafe?” I don’t like to make everything about boys and their ability to fuck up most situations, but I can’t conceive of another reason why my friend would look and sound miserable after a night spent with my family. Unless something else happened, something she hasn’t told me.

Liv scoffs at my question. “No. Nothing happened with Rafe. But we do need to get home. I have to run to Kentwood Estates tomorrow.”

My eyes widen at her statement. As far as I know, Olivia hasn’t been back to her hometown since she packed her life up and moved to Pennsylvania as an incoming freshman. “Do you want me to come with you?”

“Definitely not.” Her reply is instant, brooking no argument. “But let’s go. I said goodbye to your parents already, and B, Ava, and her crew are all getting drunk by the pool.”

“Okay, yeah. Just give me a minute to grab my bag.”

“I already got it.” Liv holds my shoulder-strap bag up, standing up as she does. “I’ll drive your car.” She starts to move past me, reaching for the door I just closed when I reach out, stopping her movements.

“Liv, what’s going on?”

She takes her time replying, standing still and silent for longer than is comfortable. Finally, she responds, “I want to get home, okay?”

“Okay.” I keep my voice light and turn, following her back out of my house and closing the door behind me. I’ll text my parents later and give some form of excuse and explanation as to why we’re leaving. But for now, I follow my friend to my car and sit in the passenger seat as she grips the steering wheel like a lifeline.

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