Page 12 of Only Some Stars Fall

“Are you freaking serious right now! Who sneaks up on a girl, all alone, in the dark, in the middle of the woods?” The anger pouring out of her only makes me laugh more.

“Let me guess, you were making sure I wasn’t still working before going in to meet Alex?” I cross my arms over my chest.

“No… I just… I just…” She throws her arms in the air. “Yes, Okay! Yes, I was hoping to not run into you if possible.”

“Am I really that scary?”

“Let’s see, the first time we met, I ended up breaking large amounts of expensive wine, and then there was the added bonus of walking in while you were having, well, you know. So, yes, I think it’s safe to say, ‘running into you’ isn’t always the most pleasurable experience, if I am being honest.”

“Funny, the second time you ran into me, I remember experiencing a lot of pleasure.” I chuckle, and her face goes completely ghost-white.

“Ugh, gross. You know, starting a new job where you know absolutely no one is hard enough. I’m trying to do my best and make a good impression, and you’re not helping,” she says, her tone a little shaky as if she’s not sure how I will respond to her bold stance to the boss’s son.

“Oh, you’re making an impression, all right.”

She lets out another huff of discontent and starts to head up the stairs.

“Have a good night, Everly. It’s safe in there, no angry, sex-addicted monsters, I am headed home.” She pauses at the sound of my voice and then continues to stomp up the porch steps. I glance over my shoulder as I walk away and watch her long legs enter the building, her ponytail swaying furiously.

I don’t know what it is about her awkward yet feisty personality that has me enjoying bugging the shit out of her, but for whatever reason, I feel myself looking forward to the next run-in.

SIX

EVERLY

I have draggedout close to thirteen different outfit options and thrown them on our bed, only to have Alex veto every single one. Her dad left this afternoon for the next couple of days, so we are already a few gin and tonics in.

“I don’t get why I can’t wear this pretty white summer dress with these heels. I wear it out in the city all the time.” I huff.

“Precisely, if you haven’t noticed, Evie Baby, we are nowhere near a city! I can promise jungle juice will be spilled down the front of that within the first ten minutes, and no one wears platform anything here.” Alex flops down on top of my clothes. “Jeans, crop top, I’ll grab you one of my dad’s old flannels, and you’ll be good to go.”

I roll my eyes at her and grab my favorite pair of high-waisted jeans and a white crop top. I huff again. I’m wearing white, damn it. It looks good with the bit of tan I have started to acquire.

I add small diamond stud earrings that my father gave me for graduating high school. I had a few hours to kill whilewaiting for Alex to close up the bar, so my makeup is on point, which is one thing I can confidently say I perfected during my first year at college, mostly thanks to Hannah.

“You’re really going to wear the white, huh?” Alex swallows her laughter. “Well, I know one thing: Nick and probably every single guy, and girl for that matter, won’t be taking their eyes off you.” She springs herself off the bed. “You are a smoke show, sis.”

“The last time you snuck a peek through a party window up here was nearly ten years ago. Since when are you an expert on what everyone is going to be wearing.” My response is a bit more defensive than I mean, and even though her comment is intended as a compliment, it makes me self-conscious.

In the city, this outfit would be considered pretty conservative. Up here, she makes it sound like I’ll look like the town hoe. I’m not looking to be the center of attention. It makes my stomach uneasy just thinking about it. I bite my lip and start to reconsider the old baggy flannel idea.

She bends down to tie the laces on her Converse. “Everly! Stop fretting, I’m teasing. We are going to a richie party anyway. I’m sure Ashlee and her group will be dressed to impress.”

As always, she is dressed in boyfriend jeans and is the only person on the planet who still wears, and completely rocks, a hot-pink halter top and looks fantastic. Edgy and sexy, all while still sending girl-next-door vibes.

The mention of Ashlee also makes my anxiety spike. She’s another person I have been actively avoiding for the last couple of weeks. I feel like I owe her an apology, but I can’t quite tell if she is the kind of girl who will embarrass me more, especially in a social setting like a party, or if she’s actually a bit rowdy and would just plain beat the crap out of me.

“Okay, so what else do we know about this Nick guy? I needto know the game plan.” Alex interrupts my brain from the spiral I’ve created, and immediately, my cheeks blush a bit.

“Oh, man, you’re crushing on him!”

“I wouldn’t go that far.” I roll my eyes as I start putting all my rejected clothes back in the closet. “I’ve only played lawn games with him and his friends a few times after work. He’s from New Jersey and goes to Harvard. His family has summered here every year since they bought their cottage, aka mansion, in Silsby when he was in middle school, I think.”

Out of habit, I re-straighten the comforter on our bed and fold down the top sheet. “He seems nice.”

“Uh-oh”

“What?” I squeal, looking around for a rat. Alex’s dad’s house is nice but old, with a lot of dark corners, and it feels like the perfect place for a family of rats to live.

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