Page 77 of Hot Girl Summer

He reaches inside his back pocket for his wallet, but my mum stops him. “Please, it’s on us.”

She shoots my dad a kind and knowing smile, and turns back to face Danny and I. “We’ll see you soon.”

I’m hoping that the caffeine will fix the pain, but in reality, I know it probably won’t. Slowly my shoulder is getting worse, but that’s exactly what Dr Khan said would happen, so I’m not worried. When my parents are out of sight, I pop two painkillers and pray for the ache to end.

“Your parents seem pretty cool,” Danny says, when they’re out of earshot.

“My mum isn’t a regular mum, she’s a cool mum,” I say, glancing his way to gauge his reaction. “Sorry, Mean Girls super fan right here.”

“Oh, I know. I’ve seen it.”

“Well aren’t you full of surprises?”

“You underestimate me, Miss DeLuca.” He smirks as we approach the door.

“Wait here,” I say.

The temptation to kiss him is too much, but I hold back.

“Hey, Kiki Bear.” I say, leaning in the doorway.

I try my best to sound upbeat, but it’s difficult. Kiki’s spark has disappeared almost overnight. Again.

Deathly pale and fragile, she shivers under a mountain of blankets, even though the weather outside is warm enough to ripen a tomato. I perch on the edge of the bed, hold Kiki’s cold hand, and lower my voice. “Are you sure you don’t mind me bringing Danny here? I can ask him to wait outside—”

“No, it’s fine,” she says, smiling.

I study her face for any uncertainty, but I don’t see any. I grip her hand tighter and call towards the door. “Come in,” I say, and Danny enters.

“Hey, Kiki. It’s good to finally meet you. I’m Danny. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“I’ve heard nothing about you.”

I clear my throat as Danny greets her with a warm smile, not letting her rudeness bother him. After sitting down on a chair beside the bed, he props his guitar against the wall.

“You’re three members short of your barbershop quartet,” Kiki says, dryly.

I stifle a laugh. It’s nice to see she still has her sense of humour.

“No prizes as to where you get your sass from.” He shoots me a pointed look.

Kiki shrugs and says, “I learned from the best.”

“I’m sure you did.” Danny picks up his guitar and pulls the strap over his head. “What kind of music are you into? I used to teach, so I’m sure I can learn a song or two.”

“I doubt you’d even know who they are.”

“Try me.”

Kiki sighs. “Travis Scott, The Weeknd, Drake...” she trails off.

“I’ll let you in on a secret.” He lowers his voice. “I sat behind Drake at Wimbledon...twice.”

Kiki bolts upright. “No way.”

“Way. So what you got?”

Kiki scrolls through her phone, and Drake’s In My Feelings plays through the speakers. Danny listens, gradually picking up the right notes to play, his confidence evident in the way he throws himself into the music.

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