Husky laughter, Catie chatting with Noelle as they walked back to the table. Her face was alight with amusement, and the way people’s eyes followed her… yes, his Catie was something special and always had been.

Catie knew something was up with Danny, but she didn’t mention it while they were with his friends. All of whom had turned out to be fun people with whom she enjoyed spending time. She and Noelle and Leon had hit it off particularly well, but she liked the others too. It’d be no hardship to have their friend groups merge during—

Her brain came to a screeching halt.

What she was doing? This—thinking about the future and about a relationship where they might hold events that brought their friends together—it was dangerous. Their current relationship wasn’t about that. It was a thing far more fleeting. And she’d long ago learned to be fine with impermanence. The trick was to enjoy the moment and not make plans for the future.

Less chance of broken promises and hurt feelings, she thought, ignoring the twisting sensation in her chest at the thought of a future without Danny as hers. And regardless of anything else, she cared for him.

So, tucking her arm into his as they walked back to his car, which he’d parked in a multistory garage, she said, “Spill it, Esera. What’s up?”

He stiffened. “I had a great time. Didn’t you?”

“Yes. Your friends are nice people.” And Catie wasn’t about to be sidetracked. “I’m talking about the pin. It was a super thoughtful gift, but you were weird about it.”

Groaning, he rubbed a hand over his hair. “Do you think anyone else noticed?”

“Nah. You covered it well. I’ve just seen your mug too many times to be fooled.”

Brows lowering into a scowl, he looked away. But she knew the scowl was for show, Danny’s worry having nothing to do with her. “Hey, you love the game.” He’d asked for a cake in the shape of his playing number for his twenty-first, wore the national team’s black jersey and his Harriers colors with open pride. “What’s up?”

He exhaled, lifted his hand to his face, just held it there for a moment before dropping his hand. “You know how I had that chat with Coach about my form?”

“You said it went well.”

“I thought it did, but he’s called me in for a meeting with full team management this coming Monday. That’s not good, Catie.”

She didn’t try to reassure him—he knew his sport far better than she did. “You’re really worried they’ll cut you from the squad?” Catie couldn’t see that happening; Danny was a star player, and the team wasn’t as strong as it was because it jettisoned members at the first hint of trouble.