Page 46 of Even Exchange

“Kidding,” she says, nudging me with her shoulder. “It was just a… I don’t know, stupid thought, I guess.”

“It’s not stupid.” I reach out and rest my palm on her knee.Guess we’re breaking rules tonight.Her skin is hot under my touch, the heat blazing up my arm like a wildfire. She glances at my hand.Does she feel the flames too?Her sparkling eyes connect with mine. “I understand you’re afraid for them to get attached,” I say, although this seems less of a group concern. “But I promise I’m always gonna come back and see you.Allof you.”

She smiles, nose scrunching. “Sorry I’m such a needy friend. I doubt the guys give you emotional shit like this.”

“You’d be surprised,” I say, removing my hand.Smart move.“Elijah’s turned into a big softy.”

“I’m well aware. Last week he wore a shirt that said, ‘World’s Best Boyfriend.’” She shakes her head, then continues, “‘Ask me about my Koalifications.’”

“Oh, I saw it. He’s been given the nickname mar-simp-ial for that.”

Charlotte snorts a laugh. “That’s a good one.” Her gaze connects with mine. “They’ve really found something special, huh?”

I memorize the way the flickering fire glistens in her eyes. The curve of her jaw as she trails her fingertips down it, brushing away a stray hair. “Yeah. They have.”

* * *

The high-pitched sound fills the air. Again.

And again, and again, and again.

All that sugar wasdefinitelya bad idea.

Nash bounces around the dark campsite illuminated by the firelight, blowing with all his might into a little toy train whistle. Denny trails him like an energizer bunny, and justwatchingthem exhausts me.

“Nash, whatareyou doing?” I ask him, paired with a teasing laugh.

“Scaring off bears!” he shouts, continuing the ear-screeching noise.

“There’s no bears out here,” I assure him.

“Okay, then the scary things,” he argues, and I shake my head as he continues his silly warding-off-evil dance.

“How are we ever going to get them to bed?” I ask Charlotte.

“They’ll wear out soon,” she promises with a laugh, picking up a candy wrapper and putting it into a trash bag. “Denny’s starting to fade. Nash will soon after.”

Nash zooms around the tent. Fading seems unlikely, but Charlotte knows them better than I do.I hope they’re enjoying this trip.

“You think the boys will forgive you for skipping Daytona?” Charlotte asks, gaze meeting mine.

I shrug. “They’ll survive.”

She suppresses a smile, the firelight dancing in her eyes. “They’re probably just heading out, and here we are, cleaning up for the night.”

“I’d take this over bar hopping any day.”

“Yeah?” She toys with the ends of her loose braid, gaze stuck on mine.

I nod. “Yeah.”

My skin flushes hot at the attention.Or maybe it’s the campfire?

“Lottie,” Denny says, interrupting our staring contest. “Will you take me to the bathroom?”

“Sure,” Charlotte says, turning to her. “And let’s grab your bedtime stuff so you can brush your teeth. You too, Nash.” She returns back to me. “Big sister duties await.”

“Do your thing,” I say, and she backs away with a smile that steals my lungs, then disappears to gather their stuff.

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