I glanced back under the canopy where Mom was talking loudly on her cell phone, a list in one hand and her iced latte in the other, her phone tucked between her ear and shoulder.

“I already told Annamae that Red, White, and Blueberries was the theme year before last,” she said. “Bless her unimaginative little heart, but we’re not repeating a theme.”

I’d had enough of roasting in the sun. I stripped off my t-shirt and tossed it over one of the plastic folding chairs nearby. All these nice church ladies were going to have to live with some titties if they wanted me to keep scrubbing. I paused for a water break, guzzling down half a cold bottle and pouring the rest over my arms and shoulders.

Another car pulled up, a blue Subaru WRX with a large wing on the back. The engine purred, and the windows were tinted so dark I could barely see inside.

It was a familiar vehicle, but I couldn’t place my finger on why until I rapped my knuckles on the driver’s window to collect their money.

The window rolled down, and I froze. My breath stilled and my heart hammered, a tight feeling swelling in my chest until it stoppered my throat.

Vincent sat in the driver’s seat, holding a ten-dollar bill folded between his fingers. He looked as surprised as I was, his dark green eyes wide as he looked up at me.

“Jessica?” Jason stared at me from the passenger seat, his shaggy blue hair curling around his face in soft waves. His eyes were the same color, preternaturally bright.

My mouth gaped open and closed before I managed to choke out, “Hi.”

Hi. That was it; that was all I was capable of. Damn, real smooth there, Jessica.

But my greeting got a smile out of Vincent. His long brown hair was tied back into a messy bun, his bare arms covered in tattoos. He smelled like summer; like citrus, weed, and very bad decisions.

I was instantly aware of every inch of my flesh they could see, my skin heating even more.

The last time I’d seen them, I’d been on my knees giving the most terrifyingly erotic blow jobs of my life. Awkward didn’t even begin to describe this roiling feeling inside me that was half panic and half excitement. Excitement for what, exactly, I didn’t know.

“Back in town for a visit?” Vincent said. He was still holding out the money, but I hadn’t taken it.

“Yeah. I mean, no, not exactly. I’m here temporarily.” The two of them exchanged a look as I stammered. Good God, girl, get it together. “I’m not visiting. I moved back home. Temporarily.”

Saying it felt like admitting defeat. I’d dreamed of getting a job straight out of college, starting my life somewhere new. Instead, I was right back where I started.

“Damn, back home with Mom and Dad,” Jason said, shaking his head. “Must be weird for you.”