Taylor tries to read Willa’s mood as she pushes back her comforter, but she’s all business. No sign of tears. No hints at what might have transpired between her and Campbell. She’s all locked up, as usual.

“We should go,” Willa says, folding up her bedding. “Since we traveled fast through the lakes, we don’t have to rush the canal. We could stop at Fulton and Phoenix and maybe go to that little amusement park at Sylvan Beach.”

Except last night—after Cam and Willa left for the drive-in—Taylor worked up the courage to call Vanessa. “It’s um—it’s Taylor. You put your number in my phone, but then I realized you didn’t have mine.”

“Hey! So glad to hear from you, Taylor,” Vanessa said. “And I hope you don’t think this is creepy, but I tracked down your Instagram so I could see pictures and follow your progress.”

“It’s only a little creepy.” Vanessa’s big laugh made Taylor smile. “So then you know we’ve only made it as far as Minetto.”

“Yeah.”

“We stopped for one of Finley’s clues,” she said. “But now my brother and Willa are on a date.”

“Wait. What? Is that why they ditched you at the party?”

“Basically.”

“So cold,” Vanessa said. “I hope they crash and burn.”

Last night Taylor laughed because she was still mad, but she knows what a broken heart feels like. She wouldn’t wish that on anyone—not even Willa.

“Hey, did you see that Sister Kismet is playing in the city on the eighteenth at the Donut Hole?” Vanessa asked.

“Are you going?” Taylor asked in reply.

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

“Do, um—do you want to meet at the show?”

“Are you sure?”

“Honestly? I’m not sure of anything right now,” Taylor said. “But maybe?”

Vanessa laughed. “Then maybe I’ll see you there.”

Taylor had been looking forward to a more leisurely pace of the canal system. The Captain Norm book described quaint little towns with restaurants and shops, and Taylor liked the idea of town-hopping, going for bike rides around the countryside, and taking nature photos. But now she doesn’t want to linger too long in any one place. She wants to figure out Finley’s next clue—‘don’t lose your head’—but she also wants to reach New York City in time to see her favorite band.

And Vanessa. Maybe.

They cast off from Minetto and spend a long day motoring the river. They pass through three locks, but now they’re seasoned sailors when it comes to lock navigation. They don’t need to discuss what to do anymore; they just do it.

Which is for the best since they’re not really talking.