Page 164 of Never Not Friends

“Hmm, I’ll have to get that percentage higher.” His phone screen lights up on the coffee table, and he leans forward to grab it. Whatever he sees makes him immediately sit up straighter. “Crap.”

“What?”

“I told my sister I would help move her out of her dorm this morning.”

“What time?”

“Nine.”

I glance toward the microwave clock. It’s not even eight yet. “You have time.”

“Yeah, I just didn’t want to have to rush out the door and leave you.”

My stomach flips with delight. “Don’t worry about it. I have things to do too.”

Nothing I could do is more important than spending time with Vinny, but we’re taking things slow, so it’s good he has to leave.

He stands, stretching both arms over his head, and I look away, but then I remember I don’t have to necessarily look away, so I glance back right when he drops his arms.

“What do you have going on today?” he asks as he slips his shoes back on.

My mind empties. “Just Saturday stuff.”

“Sounds serious.”

“It is.” I follow him to the door, trying very hard not to be disappointed that our time together is over.

He stops right before he opens it and turns to face me. “Emma?”

My heart races as I stare up at him. “Yeah?”

Are we going to have a doorstep hug? Kiss? Oh my gosh, we cannot kiss right now. I have morning breath. This can’t be how it goes down.

“My car’s still at the elementary school.”

“Oh.” My chest collapses with relief. “I’ll drive you.”

“Sorry.”

I shove my feet into a pair of slides and grab my keys. “It’s no problem at all.”

But it actually is a problem when we come out from the side gate and see my dad across the driveway with a hose stretched over a dead spot of grass. My mom kneels beside him, pulling weeds out of the landscaping rocks.

My steps halt, causing Vinny to run into me.

Then I hear a rolling garbage can, and I look over at the Montgomerys. Juliet’s dad is wheeling his cans back to the garage where Kayleen’s wheelchair happens to be sitting in the shade.

All four heads turn when the gate slams shut.

Four sets of eyes land on me.

Then Vinny.

Then back to me.

I’m hit with guilt and the biggest Oh, crap! feeling of my life.

Nobody says anything.