Page 38 (1/2)

I shake hiet I asked"

"Wait" This ti breath "Look I loved Dara, okay? I still do But--"

"But what?" I wrapback the sudden sensation that I ht be sick Why do I care? Parker can love whoever he wants He can even love my sister Why wouldn’t he love her? Everyone else does

"I was never in love with her," he says, a little more quietly "I’mI don’t think I’ve ever been in love"

There’s a long pause He stares at ratulate hie I can’t begin to decipher I’ very close--so close that even in the dark, I can see stubble on his chin, and see the beautythe outside corner of his left eye, like a perfect pen mark

"Okay," I say finally

Parker looks almost disappointed "Okay," he echoes

I wait by the water while Parker turns off the wave pool again We retrace our steps to the parking lot in silence I listen for the voice, for the singsong call of a ghost in the darkness,out just to be heard But I hear nothing but our footsteps, and the wind, and the crickets hidden in the shadows, singing for no goddamn reason at all

JULY 28

Text fro you

Actually, I do knohy

I really miss you, Dara

JULY 28