Page 26 of Where the Little Birds Are (Little Bird Duet 2)

Dad remained silent.

Gavin just frowned.

I smile at Corbin’s mom. “I’m looking forward to it,” I tell her honestly, thinking of the second I can go somewhere far away from here.

When Corbin’s name is called, I grab the sign from the floor in front of me and stand up as he shakes the man’s hand and accepts his diploma. He, his parents, and I all cheer him on as I wave around the paper in my hands.

He looks up.

And l

aughs.

In big bold letters, the sign says Corbin Callum’s Biggest Fan.

Halfway to his seat, he stops in the middle of the stage and takes a bow. Even his father laughs and shakes his head over his son’s theatrics. Some of the other families chuckle as Corbin finds his seat again.

After the ceremony ends, we wait for the graduating class to walk outside before everyone follows suit. The fresh air makes me sigh a breath of relief as I look for Corbin. His mother spots him first, gesturing us in his direction. Before I can get a few feet, a pair of arms reach out and yank me forward.

I laugh as Zach spins us around, nearly hitting some of the people standing next to him. He sets me down when I swat his arm and shoots me a dorky grin. “I know you weren’t going to walk away before congratulating me.”

Giving him a quick hug, I step back. “On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you to be done with high school?”

“Not as much as your boyfriend,” he answers, chuckling. “Admit it, Kinley. You’re going to miss me.”

I roll my eyes. “I’ll miss both of you. I won’t have anyone to annoy me anymore.” Taking that into consideration, I smile. “That sounds nice come to think of it.”

He gasps and throws a hand to chest. “If I had feelings that would have hurt them.”

“Leave the dramatics to Corbin.”

He snickers. “You going to invite me to your graduation? I’ll make you a sign even though you didn’t make me one. I’m thoughtful like that.”

I start backing away. “If you’re not too busy studying to be a badass physical therapist, there’s a ticket with your name on it.”

He points. “I’m holding you to that.”

Sticking out my tongue, I turn and refocus on Corbin and his parents. They’re standing in front of him and some young blonde girl who looks vaguely familiar. Next to her is an older man I’ve never seen before shaking Corbin’s hand.

Brows pinched I walk over.

“Hey, graduate,” I greet.

His eyes brighten as soon as he sees me, pulling me into a hug. “The sign was a nice touch, Little Bird.”

Giggling, I step back. “Don’t forget to make me a shirt like you promised. Everyone needs to know I was your first fan.”

“But certainly not his last,” the older gentleman says. He holds out his hand. “Mark King. Nice to meet you.”

Hesitantly, I shake his hand. “Kinley Thomas.”

Corbin weaves our fingers together. “It looks like I just found myself a manager. Mark’s daughter Dalia was in the movie with me. He wants to work with me to get more parts.”

Dalia. I’ve seen pictures of her and Corbin from set that he’s posted on his Instagram account, but hear far more about her than I like. It’s weird having her stand mere feet away.

“Already have one in mind,” Mark adds, drawing me away from my jealousy.

The blonde smiles at the bird perched on my wrist. “Cool bracelet. Where’d you get it?”

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