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“I can see that about you,” I reply “So, you’ll be there?”

He nods “I wouldn’t miss it”

Another long pause

Then he gives one

When Reece and I are ready to leave later in the evening, Dante is waiting for us on the porch But Quinn is nowhere to be found

“Where’s Quinn?” I ask curiously Dante shakes his head

“He left earlier, but he’ll meet us there”

“Hoill he knohere to go?” I ask “He’s not that familiar with Valese yet, is he?”

Dante looks a she’ll show him the way”

Reece and I both freeze and stare at Dante He holds his hands up innocently

“Hey, don’t look atboy- he can do what he wants”

Reece narrows her eyes “But you let hio with her? She’s a viper She’ll eat him up for breakfast and then ask for more”

Dante doesn’t seeht she ate kittens for breakfast?” he teases “Besides, if he’s still with her for breakfast, I doubt he’ll care if she asks for seconds”

Reece squeals and sulp

I ignore their bantering as I try not to physically cringe How could Quinn have gone with Elena? Did he not think it was ioing? Instead of being quiet and staring at ht that small fact to my attention

So apparently, I’ to have to choose between Gavin and Quinn The choice has been made for me

I’m not sure if I’m relieved about that or not

I don’t think I am

I try not to think of it as we drive to the beach and then walk over the sandy dunes The party is far back from the public beaches, secluded on private property I’m told that I’ve been to many of these parties I don’t remember a one

But e arrive, it looks like a good time

Tons of kids are already here, laughing and playing around I don’t renize a few from when they visited me in the hospital

A group of boys is throwing a ball back and forth A group of girls is watching Another co-ed group is splashing in the surf There are huge containers of beer and wine-coolers buried in ice There are tables of food, mostly fresh seafood and bread There are bonfires And I love the at bonfires in the dying sunlight provides the perfect ambience for a beach party

I unfold a chair and sit in it Reece sticks a wine cooler in my hand

“Your favorite,” she tells me “Just don’t have twelve of them”

She givesproble And then she settles into the chair next toaction The boys, by this point, are taking off their shirts And not because it’s hot outside, either Next to the sea, the breeze is actually a bit chilly today, but they’re stripping down anyway I shake my head The male species is so crazy sometimes

Dante leaves his shirt on though and Reece shakes her head regretfully

“There comes a time when that boy needs to let loose with the rest of theh”

“What about you?” I ask her “Are you happy to be here instead of home in Kansas?”

Reece picks at the label on her bottle and thinks about that for a minute

“I love it here,” she finally says “Even though ere in Kansas, it felt like Dante was reood, I think I still love being here randparents, but there’s just so about Caberra that h, I would be happy wherever Dante is I know, that sounds corny But it is true”

And I know that Dante feels the saaze see He checks on her and I think it’s sweet And once again, jealousy rears its ugly head I really do hope that someday, someone looks at me the way Dante looks at Reece

Honestly, no sooner have I had that thought when a pair of dark, twinkling eyes meet mine from across a crowd of boys

Gavin

He’s standing against one of the coolers talking with another boy that I don’t know He’s got on a pair of black shorts and a white shirt, unbuttoned at the neck and rolled at the sleeves He’s barefoot and he’s gorgeous He looks like a sear eous he is

I smile automatically as his eyes meet mine

He smiles back

And my heart flutters like a thousand butterflies

“Well, well,” Reece draatching the silent exchange “Look who is forgiven”

I rollby it He’s a natural flirt He doesn’t want Elena”

I twist my neatch oninto ain just thinking it, but then I realize that it’s fairly true I’m always in the mood for Gavin

That has to say soht?

I make my way toward him

He meets me in the middle

“Hi,” he says softly “Nice bling Was it a gift?” He motions toward my watch I smile