His own fault, really. He could have timed that better. After wiping at the water trickling down his neck, Keiran spilled the whole story, snickering as Scott’s face went through a range of emotions. A smirk at the dancing, waggled brows at Cherisse’s challenging words and the kissing, then pursed lips when Keiran got to the not-so-great end.

“Ah, well. She was right there with you with the kissing, escalating things too. That’s got to count for something.” Scott sounded way more confident than Keiran felt.

“She thinks it’s a mistake.”

“Did she say that?” Not out loud, but Keiran just knew. Plus, she was avoiding him. “There could still be hope,” Scott insisted. “Or, I don’t know, maybe she just hates your guts even more now.”

Hope. Something Keiran didn’t want to allow to grow. They headed for the showers while Scott continued to theorize on Cherisse needing some time to process.

#

BY THE TIME HE GOT home, it was almost noon. His mother had been blowing up his phone because guests were set to arrive at 1 p.m. as if they ever would. Most of his family worked on Trini time, which meant the guests wouldn’t show up until two at the earliest.

He needed to figure out how to come at this Cherisse situation. Should he approach her? Be the one to reach out first, so they could stop avoiding this and just talk about it? He shoved all that away. Right now, his main focus was a power nap, if his mother would let him be.

His niece greeted him at the door, Scooby trailing behind, tail wagging. “Uncle Keiran!”

“Hey, sweetie.”

Leah grabbed his hand, dragging him inside. “The pretty lady brought cupcakes!” she announced, thick plaits swinging as she jumped up and down excitedly. Keiran stiffened. Pretty lady with cupcakes could be anyone; it didn’t have to mean Cherisse. Yes, he recalled his mother’s casual mention of this very BBQ, but had she extended an official invitation and not mentioned it?

Leah led them towards the kitchen just as Maxine swept out with a tray of food. “Finally! Go set up the music before I have to hear another grumble about it.”

He gently slipped his hand out of Leah’s. “Is she here?”

Maxine didn’t ask who he meant. “Yes, with her mom.”

“A heads-up text would’ve been nice.”

Maxine shrugged. “I was busy. Just get your laptop and set up. Don’t go in there.”

He ignored Maxine, who rolled her eyes and gestured for Leah to follow her outside. Taking several deep, calming breaths, he pushed into the kitchen, not quite believing Cherisse was really here, but of course, she was. After ignoring him all week—except to discuss party planning—she was leaning against the counter, laughing with his mother. In that split second before she turned and caught sight of him, Keiran drank in her laugh, genuine and loud. He adored it.