Chapter 61

It was a quiet evening in October and we were walking on the beach—not quite holding hands or touching in any discernible way. From time to time our arms brushed together and we shared a knowing wink. Neither of us noticed the gaggle of girls walking along behind us until they called out my name and we were forced to turn around and face them. Saoirse O’Doherty and her motley crew of sidekicks, watching us with unabashed judgment. I didn’t bother to offer a polite smile their way as they stalked toward us, shoving my hands in my pockets while we waited. And as I expected, it was Saoirse who spoke first.

“How’s it going, Ryan?” she asked in that sickeningly sweet tone of hers. “Long time no see.”

I had no time for fake niceties. “What do you want?”

“Play nice, Alex. Aren’t you gonna introduce us to your new friend?”

I raised an eyebrow and scoffed. “You and I have never actuallyspoken. And you already know who she is. What do you want?”