Tamiko folded her hands and put them to her cheek in a fake-dreamy pose. “Yes, and mine’s so busy inventing a new social media app that will take the world by storm, he has no time to meet anyone else.”

We all chuckled, and Sierra said, “Well, my future boyfriend is busy writing incredible songs that the whole world will sing along to one day!”

I kept wiping the counter, but I was smiling.

“How about you, Allie?” joked Sierra. “What’s Colin up to right now?”

I swiped at her with the rag, and she jumped away, shrieking.

“I don’t even know where Colin is these days!” I said, trying to keep my voice light.

“Wait. Haven’t you texted him since you got back from camp?” asked Tamiko.

I shrugged.

“Why not?” asked Sierra. “The last time I saw him, he asked me when you’d be back.”

“He did?” I tried to hide my smile.

Sierra nodded. “Maybe he doesn’t know you’re home.”

“Allie, he’s, like, your best friend at Vista Green. Why haven’t you told him you’re back?” said Tamiko. “That’s weird.”

“I… I just didn’t want to seem like I was stalking him.”

“You weirdo! How would it be stalking to tell a close friend that you’re home after being away for a long time?”

I shrugged again.

“Were you hoping his love radar would make him magically sense you were back and he’d just appear?” Tamiko teased.

I swatted her with the rag, but she wasn’t completely wrong. I had told Colin more or less when I’d be home, and I had hoped he’d be keeping track and contact me as soon as I’d returned. But he hadn’t.

“Maybe he’s worried about acting like a stalker,” said Sierra thoughtfully. She was so kind that she always looked at every side of a situation.

I hadn’t really thought of it that way, but I pushed that idea out of my mind. I still wanted him to come find me! “Maybe,” I said.

Tamiko and Sierra exchanged a glance. “Don’t be a shy little turtle,” said Tamiko. “You have to stick your neck out sometimes.”

Sierra pushed her head forward like a turtle to illustrate, and we all giggled.

It was all well and good for Sierra to stick her neck out, but I was a shy little turtle. I’d do anything to avoid sticking my neck out. Even if that meant not texting a so-called crush.

CHAPTER TWO I LOVE FOOD—AND WRITING ABOUT IT TOO!