Page 38 of Just Friends

Alex’s large hand practically dwarfs Wren’s as they shake. “Nice to meet you, Wren. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Likewise,” Wren responds, her lips still tilted in that breathtaking smile. The one Alex gives her in return makes something in my stomach quiver.

Wren looks back at me. “What are y’all doing for the rest of the day?”

“Mom wrangled us into working a shift at the store, so we’re headed there after the yard sale.” I gesture vaguely down the street. It’s lined with foldable tables as far as the eye can see, with townsfolk sitting or standing around them, laughing with neighbors and bartering with tourists.

“Do you want to have dinner with Stevie and me and then go to the concert after?”

It’s basically a town tradition, something Wren, Stevie, and I have done since we were old enough to be let loose on the town by ourselves, and I want to go more than anything, but I’m not here by myself this year. I glance over at Alex, who is already watching me, no doubt seeing my desire written all over my face.

A slow grin curls the corners of his mouth. “We’ll be there,” he tells Wren, not looking away from me.

Her gaze bounces between us, narrowing slightly before sharpening on something behind us. “It’sHolden,” she says, her voice laced with disgust. “I forked his yard last night and left before sunrise so he couldn’t heckle me about it. I’ve gotta go. See you tonight!” she yells over her shoulder, spinning on her heel and disappearing into the crowd.

“Wren Daniels!” a deep voice bellows from behind me.

“Uh-oh,” I say, grabbing Alex by the arm and tugging him into the throng of people.

His breath is warm against my neck as he leans down to whisper in my ear. “Who is Holden?”

“Thatis too long a story for me to try to explain. Plus, we need to get through this yard sale before our shift.”

“That’saprettynecklace,”Mom says as Alex and I are heading out the door to meet Wren for dinner. We stopped by my parents’ house after our shift at the store so I could reapply my coconut perfume and deodorant after a long day in the sun. I’m busy tying my hair up in a knot with the scrunchie I slipped from Alex’s wrist when Mom lifts the delicate butterfly pendant off my chest and examines it.

“Thanks. Alex got it for me,” I tell her.

Mom’s eyes dart to Alex over my shoulder, her bright smile lifting the corners of her mouth. “Is that so? Alex, you truly are the sweetest boy.”

“The sweetest boy,” I echo, fixing Alex with a mock-serious stare.

His lips twitch, his eyes glittering at me for an instant before he focuses back on my mom. “Thank you, Miss Ava,” he says to her.

Mom scoffs, waving a sun-spotted hand. “MissAva. Your mama raised you right. But you be good to my Hazel now, you understand?”

My eyes widen at her implication, nearly bugging out of my head. “Mom.”

“Silas,” Mom says, ignoring me. “Ask Alex about his intentions.”

Dad doesn’t even look up from where he’s shucking corn at the kitchen counter for the church potluck they’re heading to this evening. “I’d rather not.”

“Silas.” Mom’s tone holds the exact same tone of warning that my own did moments before.

“Don’t get her pregnant without a ring, Alex,” Dad deadpans.

“That’s it!” I yell, tugging Alex by the bicep to the front door. “I’m done with both of you.” I point a finger at Mom. “But mostly you.”

Alex is chuckling when I finally drag him down the porch and into the driveway, gravel crunching beneath our shoes.

“It’s not funny,” I tell him, my eyebrows arching high on my head. “They’re ridiculous.”

“No, no,” Alex says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “Think of how much they just gave us permission to do just as long as I don’t get you pregnant.”

I slap his stomach, noting the way the hard muscles bunch beneath my touch with his laughter, and shove his arm off my shoulder. “You’re as bad as they are.”

His eyes twinkle mischievously, a glint of gold in those dark brown irises. “You have no idea.”

I shut myself in the driver’s seat of my dad’s pickup to avoid the flurry of butterflies taking flight in my stomach. I’ve never felt so betrayed by butterflies in my life. This isAlex, my platonic best friend.

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