“Okay,” he teases, “that is definitely an Allie look. Are you sure you’re not just pretending to forget everything?”

“Positive.”

“Must be muscle memory. You were always the master of giving people looks that could kill.”

The mood shifts and an uncomfortable tension settles over us, one that’s becoming quite familiar. It doesn’t help that this is the first time we’ve been alone together since he tried to kiss me. Up until now, I’ve pretended he’s invisible. Audrey keeps asking me to do things with them—take a walk, sit in the car while they buy groceries, go out for coffee—and she’ll only accept the “I think it’ll give me a headache” excuse for so long. Being forced to acknowledge her boyfriend has me feeling cornered.

He lowers his voice. “I’m sorry about what happened.”

“I am too,” I say firmly.

“Don’t be. It’s my fault. Just… forget about it.”

“Is that a joke? I already have amnesia.”

He’s silent for a few seconds before he processes my words, then laughs breathily. I feel my lips twitch. The motion draws his attention, and my pulse quickens.

“Bad word choice,” he remarks.

He looks as though he wants to say more, but movement in the other room snaps us out of our trance. I push past him, moving toward the kitchen. Inside, Audrey slides a bagel into the toaster, glancing over her shoulder as I breeze into the room, Parker trailing slowly behind.

“Oh, you’re both here,” she says brightly. “Good morning.”

I busy myself with making a cup of tea. “Morning.”

“How are you feeling about going back to school today?”

“If I had to choose between going to school or launching myself into space, I’d pick space.”

“Oh, come on,” she remarks. “I’m sure it won’t be that bad.”

I give her a dubious look.

“Just think about it like starting at an entirely new school. That’s exciting, right? You can make new friends.”

“I’m a senior in my last semester of high school,” I point out. “I’m sure everyone here has already made up their mind about me.”

Audrey lifts a shoulder, looking at me sympathetically. “There’s still time for things to change.”

Parker hums his agreement over his mug of coffee.

“Maybe,” I say, not truly believing her words.

Sofia seems deep in thought as we coast through our neighborhood on the way to school.

The houses are neat and polished here—character homes with lush, manicured lawns and expensive-looking cars parked out front. Sofia is a lawyer at a local law firm, which must be the reason we’re able to afford to live in this part of town. She’s been off work for the past month and a half taking care of me, and today is her first day back too.