The soft grass felt wonderful under Violet’s feet. Sam threw the cushion to the ground on the far side of the tree. He plopped down on it and pulled Violet with him. “This is better,” he announced.

“Better than what?” she smirked.

“Better than making small talk with a roomful of people while waiting for you to get here. I suggested to Hugh you might want to come to the party tonight.”

“I should have known.” Violet took a large swig of deliciously sweet wine. Sam reached over and took her glass, setting it next to his. “I don’t want you to have too much of this,” he explained.

“Why not?” she pouted.

“Because I want you to remember every detail of our first kiss.”

She shook her head in exasperation. “Sam, you’re here with Deborah. You’ve been together for years. I have no intention of kissing you. Walking me into the darkness to make out was a big mistake.” Violet glared at him and stood, preparing to go back to the living room.

He focused on a distant light atop a downtown building, one that glowed green if there had been no traffic fatalities within the past twenty-four hours. Sam felt like Violet’s kick to his heart should cause it to turn red at any moment.

“Vi, I am not in love with Deborah. My parents are, and her parents are in love with me. She and I are more like a forced dating experiment.” He hugged his knees to his chest and rested his head, mumbling, “I’m not happy with her—never have been.” He looked up, eyes glittering moist, and reached for her hand. “Please sit back down, just for a few more minutes.”

“Won’t she be looking for you?” Violet sighed and eased herself to his side.

“I told her I needed to talk to you about Johnny, and we’d be gone for twenty or thirty minutes.”

“Then talk to me about Johnny. Go ahead.”

“I’m so sorry about all he’s been through, Violet. He’ll never be the same; none of us will. He was my best friend. But...”

“Yes?”

Sam pulled a clump of grass and scattered it, stalling.

“What is it, Sam? But what?”

“I have loved you, Violet Glenn, since sixth grade. I’ve stood in Johnny’s shadow and watched you adore him, even when he didn’t deserve it. I’ve taken photograph after photograph of your face, none of which came close to capturing the beauty I see every time I look at you. Your smile is the first thing on my mind when I wake and the last before I sleep. Your laugh makes me want to sing with happiness.” He paused and laughed softly, eyes on the ground. “I know I sound like an idiot, or the most repulsive poet of all time. I had an early start with the wine.”