Her favorites. Maddie knew? Lucy tried to cover her surprise as she nodded her thanks and gently sat down on the sandpaper sheet beside Delia. “You miss it?”

“The theater?” Delia nodded. “It’s weird to not be there for the summer. I wish you guys could see it. See her.” She paused before grabbing her phone. She swiped open her photos, showing them her mom onstage, pointing out her dad in some, Cassie in others, with Delia always behind the lens.

“I never even minded that we didn’t get cable until I was twelve,” Delia said. “Watching my mom was better than anything else. I slept backstage so much, I used to cry anytime I actually had to go to sleep in my room.”

“And now they’re selling it,” Maddie said. “Sucks.”

Commiserating nods made the rounds. They ate silently with Lucy trying to think of something to lighten the mood. Finally she said, “But you know who doesn’t suck?” She rested her eyes on Delia. “Eric Shaw.”

Delia’s skin instantly turned red, and she snatched a pancake, which she mostly used to shield her face.

“Oh, come on,” Lucy said. “We’ve seen you together.”

From behind the pancake, Delia said, “We’re friends.”

“Uh-huh,” Maddie said.

“We are. We all are.”

“Maybe.” Lucy fluttered her eyelashes. “But it’s only when he looks at you that he turns into a total emoji with hearts where those pretty eyes should be.”

Delia barely got out her mumbled denial before she was saved by a double rap on the door.

“Waiting on you, Katz!”

“Ah, perfect timing!” Lucy hopped up and rubbed the backs of her legs, which she expected to be oozing blood from the scratchy sheet. “Eric’s probably here already.” She reached for her lipstick.

“Eric?” Delia said. “Why?”

“Because I invited him. As you know, we’re halfway to Demo Day.” She smirked. “And you’ve smelled headquarters. When personal hygiene takes a back seat, it’s definitely time to let off some steam.” Lucy noted the shock on their faces. Like the night they went to the club, they just needed a little extra encouragement. “Just an intimate gathering.” She opened the door and waved them out. “Common room. Let’s go see who’s here.”

Lucy led the way and waited inside the doorway, assessing the intimate number that had shown up.

“There are at least thirty people here,” Delia said.

“I know, but it’s early.” Lucy patted her arm. “Don’t worry. Things will pick up after the keg arrives.”

“Keg?” Delia glanced at Maddie. “I meant, there are at least thirty. I thought it was going to be just us, maybe Eric and Marty—”

“They’ll be here, don’t worry.”

“But what if  . . . what if we don’t want to be?” Maddie said.

Lucy was taken aback.