Page 49 of After You Returned

I rush to intercept her. “Blaze, wait!’

She fists her hands on her hips. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t leave now.”

“Because it’sSirens & Strikes Nightand I know how much you enjoy it.”

“So you asked your sister-in-law to invite me?”

I stuff my hands in my pockets and shrug. “I didn’t think you’d say yes if I invited you.”

“Miles, your whole family is here,” she hisses instead of answering my question, which is kind of an answer.

“You love my family.”

When we were dating way back in high school, Hazel spent nearly as much time at my house as she did at hers. She laughed and joked with my brothers and helped Mom prepare meals. She was a part of our family.

Until I went and screwed it all up. But she will be a part of our family again. I will do everything in my power to convince her to give me a second chance.

She blows out a breath. “And you’re deliberately misunderstanding my point.”

“Not deliberately. I don’t understand your point.”

“Your family will think we’re back together.”

“Would it be so bad if we were back together?” I hold my breath as I wait for her answer.

“Miles.”

I step closer. “Everyone in my family knows I want a second chance with you. They also know you haven’t given me one yet.”

“They’re also staring at us.”

“You can’t be surprised. My brothers are as nosy as you are.”

Her jaw drops open. “Me? Nosy?”

I snort. “Did you or did you not end up with detention in freshman year for eavesdropping on the principal?”

“Is it eavesdropping when she’s screaming loud enough for everyone on the island to hear?”

“It is when you stick your ear to a glass against her door.’

“Whatever.”

“Come on.” I motion to the lanes. “It’ll be fun. I already spotted the contraband item in our lane. I bet you can’t knock it loose.”

Sirens & Strikes Nightisn’t your usual bowling night. Each lane has a hidden ‘contraband item’ — toy rum barrels, fake gold coins, a mini anchor. If your ball knocks it loose, you win a prize.

Hazel’s eyes narrow on mine. I’ve got her now and she knows it. She can’t resist a challenge.

“When I knock the contraband item loose, you have to parade aroundDrunken Anchor Lanesclucking like a chicken.”

I’d parade around the lanes naked with my face painted purple, if it would get her to stay. I hold out my hand. “You’re on.”

As soon as she shakes my hand, I usher her forward. “We have lanes six and seven.”

“Brave. Lane seven is cursed.”

“It’s not cursed just because you always lose when you bowl on lane seven.”