Involved. Back then, I hadn’t allowed myself to hope for Milo being anything other than my best friend, especially once that friendship had been lost. I had been only starting to find other people cute back then, and while my heart might have had some private wishes, I tried hard to ignore any…reactions to his nearness. Unlike now, when my body most definitely had noted Milo was all grown up.

“You’re months from graduation.” My mom must have picked up my train of thought. Milo wasn’t the only one who was an adult now. I too had the real world waiting.

“Yup. Don’t need any distractions,” I agreed. I had a possibility of a job in NYC after graduation, and maybe that was part of why I’d been so desperate to find a Prince Neptune. I still wasn’t sure how I felt about leaving April and Kellan and everyone else here. Felt weird to be down to mere months. But at least I could make sure they were good months, and maybe eventually I’d sort myself out.

April’s laugh cut through my tumbling thoughts. “I’d take a distraction about now. Especially if it looked like—”

“You’re only fifteen. Maybe you spending time with Jasper’s crowd isn’t a good idea,” Mom grumbled, which only made April groan.

“It’ll be fine,” I said before an argument could break out. “He’ll probably only be Neptune the one time anyway.”

Buzz. My pocket vibrated again. Heck. Maybe not even the one time if he was messaging to bail. Mom had a strict no-phones-at-the-table rule, so it wasn’t until after I helped clear and wash the dishes that I got a chance to look at my messages. I leaned against the washer in the mudroom as I scrolled my phone.

Several from Kellan, of course. He wanted to show me his latest design for upgrades to his mage outfit. Unlike some of us, Kellan cosplayed as multiple characters depending on his mood and the event. And each costume needed approval from the rest of us. I added my thumbs-up and scrolled on. Arthur wanted to confirm my work schedule for the weekend, but none of those messages made my pulse thrum like seeing Milo’s name.

Hey. Did you find the costume?

You’re hoping I didn’t. Don’t lie. I laughed as I typed. Yup. Checked the sandals. Size twelve. Think that will work?

His reply came while I was still packing up. Yeah. That’s my size too. And uh…I’ve been wondering what goes under the toga?

My answering chuckle was loud enough to make Mom glance my way from where she was putting away leftovers in the kitchen. Oops. No distractions. No involvement. Seriousness only. Except somehow my fingers didn’t get the message.