Page 16 of Wish You Were Mine
“You think so?” Alessi pushed some of her dark hair off her neck, now damp from the steam of the hot tub. “W-what songs are you wondering about?”
“Mostly‘Under the Firework Sky,’” Miles said, meeting my gaze and then Bash’s for a second before turning back to his stepsister. “That one’s been stuck in our heads all night.”
“Oh…that one…” Her eyes went wide for a moment before she schooled her expression. “W-what made you wonder about that one in particular? Is it everyone’s favorite or something?”
“You already know it’s my favorite,” Miles said with a wink. Then with a bigger grin, he added, “Andcome to find out tonight that it also happens to be one of Bash’s favorite songs, too.”
“Oh really?” Alessi’s gaze flicked to Bash. “I’m so glad you liked that one. It’s really special to me.”
“Was there any particular inspiration behind that song?” I asked, trying to get to the bottom of things.
“Oh, um…” Alessi hesitated.
“Was it because of Ian’s summer yacht party?” Miles suggested. “About six years ago?”
Alessi’s gaze shot to him, and…did she just glare at him for bringing that night up?
Did Miles know the truth already, then? And she didn’t like him putting her on the spot like this in front of Bash?
“See? I told you guys,” Bash said, assuming that he’d guessed the night that had been the inspiration for her song. “That’s exactly what I was saying. Right?”
“What are you talking about?” Alessi asked.
Miles chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. “Bash thinks the song’s about him.”
“Ohhhh,” Alessi said, her brow furrowing like she was only then connecting the dots. “That’s…I guess that makes sense… We did start dating around that time, didn’t we?”
“We were sitting next to each other during the fireworks, right?” Bash asked, like he was picturing that night right then. “Good times…”
“Yeah, it was a really good night,” Alessi said, licking her lips, her gaze briefly darting to Miles. “Quite the memorable weekend, actually.”
“So, is the song about Bash?” I leaned forward, not sure she’d actually confirmed Bash’s theory yet. “Weresecret sparks ignitingduring the firework show on the yacht?” I asked, paraphrasing her lyrics.
“Yes, sweet stepsister of mine,” Miles said, resting hismuscular arm on the edge of the hot tub. “Was our buddy Bash the muse for that number one song of yours?”
“Uh…” Alessi’s face turned a little paler.
“I get that musicians find inspiration from all kinds of places,” Miles offered when she didn’t say anything else. “So would it be more fair to say that multiple experiences might’ve inspired that song? Not just that magical night with our buddy Bash?”
“Y-y-y-yes…” Alessi said the word slowly, a sigh escaping her. “I mean, that party was definitely influential. I have some fond memories of it.” She paused, glancing at Bash. “But I don’t want you to think I’m, like, pining for you every time I sing that song on stage. I’m sure that would be pretty awkward for you, considering we only dated for like two months.”
“I didn’t think you were necessarily pining for me.” Bash smiled, clearly pleased that he’d been at least somewhat right in his assumptions about the song. “But yeah, it’s a great song. Totally deserves all the success that it’s found.”
“Thanks,” she said, her gaze briefly flicking between all of us, but lingering on Miles for a beat longer. “It’s been a crazy six months, that’s for sure.”
“I bet,” Bash said. “But it’s nice to know I left a small impression.”
“I mean, who can forget their first summer fling before college?” she said, her usual confident smile returning.
“Apparently, not you.” Bash winked. “But I’m sure it was quite thrilling to date a pre-med student going into his senior year at NYU.” Bash was now in his last year of medical school, just about to start his residency.
“You know it.” She chuckled. “Though, I’m pretty sure the fact that you were at NYU while I was at Eden Falls University made our relationship end that much quicker.”
“Long distance tends to do that, doesn’t it?” Bash shook hishead. “If only you’d been a little more patient, though. Dr. Aarden is hooking me up with some of his connections in New Haven for my residency, so I’ll only be twenty minutes away from Eden Falls next year.”
“If only my eighteen-year-old self had known I’d only have to wait five years for the long-distance thing not to be an issue.” Alessi laughed. “Oh the fun we could have had.”
“It’s okay.” Bash shrugged. “We’ll just have to see what happens next year.” He winked.
