The guy laughs. “Everyone bolted. There was no one left to arrest.”

“Maybe we crossed paths and they’re at the park now,” Vanessa suggests. “Do you want to go check it out?”

Taylor is not surprised that her brother is missing in action. He probably found a girl—or another party—but she doesn’t know whether to be angry or concerned that Willa didn’t show up at the park. Maybe both. Either way, Taylor decides that Willa is on her own. “I’m going back to the boat.”

“I’m spending the weekend with my cousin, who lives near the marina,” Vanessa says. “I’ll come with you.”

This time she turns up the volume on her phone so they can listen without headphones. The sound quality isn’t quite as good, but Taylor likes listening to her favorite singer with someone who doesn’t need an introduction. The time passes fast—too fast—and they reach the driveway to the marina.

“Taylor, can I ask you something?” Vanessa says.

“Sure.”

“Do you, um—are you into girls? Because this whole night I’ve been getting this vibe, but I’m not sure if it’s my imagination or wishful thinking or whatever.”

Taylor pulls in a deep breath. She’s never shared this secret with anyone except the neighbor’s pigs, who live in a pen just over the property line between the two farms. The pigs don’t judge and they never, ever tell. So telling a stranger is a leap of faith. “I, um—I’m pretty sure the answer is yes, but I’ve only ever loved one girl and she was my best friend.”

“Oh . . . wow . . . okay,” Vanessa says.

“I never told her because I knew she’d never love me back. At least not in the same way I loved her.” Taylor’s vision blurs and tears track down her cheeks. “And then she died.”

“That must have been so painful.” Vanessa offers her a tissue. “If I had known . . . God, my timing is terrible.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Vanessa says. “But listen.” She takes Taylor’s phone and adds herself as a contact. “If you want to dial my number someday—when you’re in a better place—I’ll definitely answer.” She lifts onto her tiptoes to kiss Taylor’s cheek. “I had fun tonight.”

“All I did was drag you around town looking for my stupid brother.”

“If that bothered me . . . ,” Vanessa says as she shuffles slowly backward toward the street, “I wouldn’t have stayed.”

Taylor watches as Vanessa walks away, tucking in her earbuds. A few yards down the street, she glances back and smiles—and it makes Taylor feel untethered. Like she might just float away.