“Ha! We’ll see about that. Catch you guys later.” Penny jogged back to Scott.

As they headed for Quincy’s truck, Roni said, “She seems fun.”

“She’s a blast.” He opened the passenger door and helped her in, then went around to the driver’s side, and as he started the engine, he said, “You should know that everyone thought Penny and I were going to hook up, but we never have. We’re just really good friends. There have been times when I’ve crashed on her couch or she’s crashed on mine. But we’ve never even kissed.”

“Okay,” she said, and looked at the list for the scavenger hunt.

He couldn’t see her expression to gauge it. “Is that an okay, you believe me, or an okay, like when girls say they’re fine, but they’re really pissed?” He pulled the truck in line behind the other vehicles.

She looked up from the list and said, “I trust you, Quincy. I expected that you’d have friends that are girls and guys. Besides, it’s not like I’d get jealous of an old girlfriend.”

“Well, I’ve never had a real girlfriend, so there are no old ones out there. I know this is new between us, but I want you to know that I’m not looking for anyone else.”

“Okay. I’m glad, because neither am I.” She held his gaze a beat longer, then looked at the list again and said, “This is a long list. Listen to a few of the things we have to do. Serenade a stranger, go down a slide, kiss on the steps of the public library.” She looked up and said, “That’s weird for a scavenger hunt.”

He was still riding the high of her not looking elsewhere and being okay about his friendship with Penny. “Sure is, but we’re heading to the library first.”

“Wait!” She craned her neck, looking out the window at Biggs and Red walking toward their car and said, “We need a picture of Biggs to check off take a picture of a guy with a cool mustache. That’s fifteen points. I’ll be fast!” She threw open her door and pulled her phone from her back pocket as she stepped out and ran across the parking lot toward them.

Her limp was more pronounced when she ran. Quincy wondered if it was caused by an old dance injury, but he figured it would be rude to ask and assumed she’d tell him when she was ready. He watched her showing the list to Biggs, who motioned for her to step beside him. He put his arm around her, and she took a selfie of them. Quincy loved watching her come out of her shell. As she ran back to the truck, Biggs gave him a thumbs-up, and that felt fantastic.

She climbed into the truck, breathing hard, and said, “Got it!”

He didn’t hesitate or think as he hauled her across the bench seat beside him, said, “You’re so fucking adorable,” and plastered his mouth to hers.