“What about Boone?” Sadie-Grace asked suddenly. “He’s the right age, too. Your dad and his mom are twins. And he’s so much more injury-prone than the rest of you.”

I so did not want to know how Sadie-Grace had injured Boone now.

“I’m going to change the subject,” Campbell told Sadie-Grace, “before you take a shortcut to TMI.” She pivoted. “In case any of you were wondering, I’m planning an epic birthday party, but it is so epic that it will require months of planning and will thus be held on my half birthday, once this summer and all of its drama is just a blip in the mirror.” Campbell didn’t give any of us the chance to reply before she changed the subject a second time. “Now, who wants to hear my update on the Lady of the Lake?”

I saw Lily shiver, even though she couldn’t have possibly been cold. It was a hundred degrees out, and the rest of us were sweltering in swimsuits.

“What update?” Lily said quietly.

“My ‘friend’ at the deputy’s office says they’re bringing in a forensic sculptor.” Campbell awaited our response.

Sadie-Grace raised her hand. “Do I want to know what a forensic sculptor is?”

“That depends,” Campbell replied coyly. “Do you want a play-by-play on how someone can reconstruct a face from a skull?”

CHARLOTTE, LIV, JULIA,
THE INTERLOPER, AND THE BOYS
SUMMER BEFORE SENIOR YEAR
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS EARLIER

“Last one in pays the price.” Liv shot a playful look at Sterling. “That would be you. Or . . .” She stretched the word. “Would it be her?”

All of them were in the water now. Sterling and the local girl had come down together.

I can’t be the one who says it, Charlotte thought.

For once, she was glad that Julia seemed able to sense exactly what she was thinking. “My brother hit the water a second before she did.” She glanced at the new girl. “That makes you last, sweetie.” Julia flipped onto her back to float. “You were the first off the ledge, Liv. What are the rules—and what’s the price?”

“The rest of us head back up,” Liv decided, pushing off J.D. and swimming for the shore. “And, new girl, let’s see you tread water.”

CHAPTER 49

“I’m worried about Lily.”

Nick and I were lying on the front of his boat, our limbs entangled, my hair damp from the lake. I could see beads of sweat on his chest and feel them running down my own.

He traced his fingers lightly down my stomach. “More worried than usual?”

“After Campbell and Sadie-Grace left this morning, Lily put in her earbuds.”

He moved his hand to the small of my back, which was the only thing that allowed me to continue.

“She’s just listening to the recordings of her parents, over and over again.”

“And you’re here,” Nick commented. “With me.”