Page 42 of Best Friends for Never

She says nothing, just grins in a way I don’t like one bit. I want to ask her more, but the crowd’s noise begins to swell, and soon we’re being swarmed by townspeople.

I shake hands, smile, take selfies, and saythank youabout a hundred times as I approach the stage they’ve erected outside the theater.

They got a stage for this? Damn.

I stop before walking up the steps, and there, standing on the other side of the stage, is Parker. Her auburn hair is twisted up in a bun that somehow looks classy and simple all at once. She’s wearing a flowy skirt, a white top, and her trusty canvas shoes, which, if you look close enough, have paint splatters dotting their sides.

She’s talking, her posture commanding the attention of the three people standing before her. She’s not only heading this renovation on the construction side but also truly in charge of this whole project. People answer to her. They listen to her.

And I’m so fucking proud of her for it. She was quiet and shy in school unless you really got to know her, then she blossomed. Even at the theater, her safe place, she stuck to things that demanded the least attention, like set design or lights.

But now ... she’s changed. She’s bright and cheery and respected, and now the world finally gets to seemyParker.

She turns and looks at me as if she can feel my gaze eating her up. Her eyes sweep down my body, and I know instantly something is wrong—I’m overdressed for this event.

“You lied,” I say to my grandmother as Parker gestures to the people she’s talking to that she’ll just be a moment and begins making her way over to us.

“I did no such thing.”

“You said I wasn’t overdressed for this, andthatwas a lie.”

“Oh.” She rolls her lips together, then exhales a puff of air. “Well, fine. You just looked too cute and confident in your suit. I didn’t want to ruin anything.”

I groan. “Gran . . .”

“What? I care about you. Sue me.”

“I’d take you for everything you’re worth.”

She shakes a wrinkled fist at me. “Bring it on, buster.”

I laugh, shaking my head as I lead her to her reserved chair in front. “I’m leaving you here. Behave.”

She rolls her eyes. “As if.”

I want to tell her nobody says that anymore, but I know it’s pointless. Gran is going to do what Gran is going to do.

With a heavy exhale, I straighten my jacket, take the two stairs leading to the stage with one step, and come face-to-face with Parker.

“Noel!” she says like she’s surprised to see me or something.

“Peter.”

Her hazel eyes narrow for a split second before she smiles, almost like she remembers we have an audience. And by audience, I mean the whole town is in attendance. Seriously, I don’t think a single person stayed at home for this. Every single white folding chair is full, and it’s standing room only toward the back. I see the owners of the bed-and-breakfast, Dick and his wife, Sue, who runs the car repair shop, and hell, even Peggy closed Jill’s to be here.

Being with Parker is awkward enough. But having the whole town’s eyes on us? It’s almost unbearable.

She takes a tentative step toward me, folding her hands together in front of her.

“You look . . .”

“Completely overdressed? I know. Here.” I shed my jacket, handing it over to her. “Hold this a moment, will you?”

I undo the button on my right sleeve and begin rolling it up. I lift my eyes to find Parker watching my every move. Her lips are slightly parted, her hazel eyes wide and locked in on what I’m doing. I move to the next, and she still doesn’t look away.

It’s not until I clear my throat that she finally looks up. Her cheeks turn pink almost instantly, but she doesn’t offer an excuse or explanation.

No. She just meets my amused stare and barrels on.

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