My cheeks flush, and I say the first thing that comes to mind. “I wish I knew how to flirt so I could come up with something cute to say, but I don’t, so I’ll admit I’ve been thinking about you, too…”

He grins. “You’re perfect just the way you are, Ella. Don’t ever change.”

A thrill shoots through me, and, not wanting to let on how much he means to me, since I barely know him, I change the subject. “It seems like you’ve been busy surfing.”

“Yeah. Gotta keep my investors happy, and that’s what they buy into me for.” He shakes his head. “A clothing company just paid a lot of money to use my name for a line of surf T-shirts, and the whole deal depends on how much I can sell from my Network feed. It’s a lot of pressure. I’ve got to keep finding ways to get people’s attention—surf bigger waves, be a spectacle. I don’t know… It’s not really working, but I’ve got to come up with something. You know how it is.”

I nod. “I do. My numbers aren’t growing, and my parents are on my case to inject some drama into my feed before they have to find me some.” I roll my eyes. “But I don’t want to publicize the drama at Intersection. It’s too depressing.” Cocking my head, I glance toward Lil and the gang.

His eyes focus over my shoulder, and he frowns. “Those guys are dicks.”

At that moment, Lil looks up. I feel her eyes staring me down and I know I’ve got to end this.

“They—we—I—made her move…” I whisper, tears crowding my eyes.

He follows my gaze across the Boulevard to where the girl now sits in a corner, shoulders slumped.

“I hate myself for it…but I’m stuck…” I say. Sensing Lil’s impatience is intensifying, I take a step backward. “And I should probably go before Lil gets any more pissed.”

He reaches out to touch my arm but pauses in midair, seeming to think better of it. “I get it. Don’t worry, Ella. We’ll stay in touch. I’ll find a way. Be strong.”

With that, he brushes past me, leaving with an almost imperceptible wink.

I watch him walk over to the girl and ask to sit with her. My heart fills to bursting, and all I can think is, “Don’t ever change…”

Bang, bang, bang. Someone pounds on the door. Allard and I both jump.

“Who is that?” she wonders.

“Weiss,” I reply without thinking. He’s the first person that pops into my head.

“Wait here,” she says, standing.

I sink low on the couch as she opens the door.

“Weiss. What are you doing here?” she asks.

“I saw your light on. You know it’s candles only after seven.”

“Of course,” she says. “I was reading and must have lost track of time. Thank you for the heads-up.” She clicks off the light.

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

She closes the door and turns to me. “You knew it was him. Instincts.”