Page 30 of Forbidden Love Still Blooms

“Good.” I say it like it's an impulse. “You?”

“Fine, a little tired. Woke up insanely early to go help with the Sandcastle Stars float.”

“Oh, right,” I say, recognizing the glitter on her face. The young kids had it slathered on them. I wonder if she helped them with it. I remember how she crouched in front of me when we were both so young, her tongue pinched between her teeth, while she focused on dabbing glitter over my cheeks so we could stand out on the decorated float. “Is your dad still in charge of that?”

“Yup,” she laughs. “Mom keeps begging him to quit teaching art at our old high school and switch to a college job, but each time a position opens elsewhere he refuses. Stubborn guy doesn't want to leave Crestwind. What about your mom?”

“Also stubborn,” I chuckle.

Cadence loops her arms behind her back, swaying gently like she's being blown by the breeze. She nods at my hand. “You collect that still.”

“Yeah.” I hold up the teal oval for her to see.

She reaches out, taking it, smiling as she rubs her thumb over the surface. “I used to find your pottery in Buzzy's all the time. Why don't I anymore?”

“I'm busy helping my mom at the shop.”

“That's too bad. You were always so good at finding these and making beautiful pottery.”

I blush from her compliment. “You can keep that one. If you want.”

Cadence startles, then offers the sea glass back to me. “Nah. I'd rather you put it to good use in a new piece. If you do, show me it, and then I'll take it.”

She's being too nice. My hackles rise, old fears bubbling up.What does she want from me?I'm not used to causal hangouts with friends anymore. “Did you really come over just to say hi?” I ask.

Angling her head, she squints at me, saying, “Sort of.”

There we go. My paranoia is justified. I push my foot into the sand, digging at it, waiting for the bomb to drop. Everyone wants something from me. Every single damn person.

“I wanted to ask you about Dezmond,” she says quietly. “Lori, we haven't spoken since … god, I don't know, it's been a year? The last Triumph Parade beach party down here?”

“It wasn't that one,” I mumble.

Her eyebrows creep upwards into the glitter. “You're right. It was before that, March? It was freezing out, I remember now. Some of the kids were back from college and wanted to see everyone again.”

I don't nod, I just watch her, waiting.

“Yeah,” she whispers, her tone getting more suspicious. “Yeah. We were both there, and so was Dez. He was a complete asshole, and you told him to fuck off. You really let into him, Lori! What the hell changed between then and now?”

“Everything,” I say grimly.

“Lori, if something is wrong, you can tell me. We used to be close friends.”

Used to be.

“Cadence, I should really head home and check on my mom.”

“Oh. Okay.” She wants to say more, her lips are straining around more questions. If she has them, my mother will, too. I have to figure out how to explain things. I need a thousand more lies to keep one secret hidden.

I turn away. Cadence says, “Wait, one more thing.” She rubs the outside of her arm, like she's nervous, but her smile is firm. “I know you said you're busy with the shop, but my dad would really love to have you come back to the sandcastles.”

“I'm too old to be on a team.”

“I don't mean come back likethat.I just mean … come show your face. Come have some fun. You were always my dad's favorite, much as it drove me nuts.” She laughs from her belly, disarming me entirely.

She really means what she's saying.Remorse makes the backs of my eyes hurt. I'm not going to cry, but it feels like I could. “Cadence …”

“It's up to you,” she rushes on, “but I remember you having a blast with me, with everyone, when we created those castles. So just consider it. We go every Monday, same spot on Coral Rock like before, same eye-bleeding early time.”

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