“What do you say, Ash?” Graham asked, trying to catch his eye. “Will you help me out?”

Ash’s mouth was a desert, and he was clammy all over at the thought of putting his words out there for Kincaid to read, but maybe it was time to stop being so scared. He took a deep breath and met his friend’s gaze. “Let’s do it.”

Graham’s grin went wide and he lifted his arm for a fist bump. “You’re the best, Isaacs. This is going to be epic.”

Kincaid strolled up just in time to see the fist bump. She hoisted herself up onto the counter and smiled at them. “What are you two up to?”

Dying, Ash answered silently. “Talking about your appalling love of pop music.”

She stuck her tongue out at him. “And also how I’m just the best, most wonderful girl you two have ever known?”

Graham grinned. “Obviously.”

“The ego on you, Breslin,” Ash said because he was apparently incapable of flirting and could only manage middle-school sarcasm when she was around.

She reached out and messed up his hair. “You’re the worst BFF ever.”

He sighed. “I know.”

* * *

Two weeks later, Ash was at the checkout counter again, going through the closing procedures and trying to focus. He’d started the money count three times now and messed up each time. He hadn’t been able to think since he and Graham had planted the letters around the store. He knew Kincaid had found some because he’d checked the books after she left at night. But she hadn’t said a word. He couldn’t concentrate on anything at all when she was near him. He kept waiting for her to look at him and say, I know. Or how could you? Or in his best fantasies, I’m totally in love with you, too.

So when he looked up to find her heading his way with a secretive smile on her face and a sheet of paper clutched in her hand, his heart jumped into his throat and he feared he might pass out. He lost count of the money again.

Kincaid stopped in front of the counter and her smile went wider. “Hey, you.”

Her tone was effervescent and filled him up with this fizzy, bubbling rush of hope.

It’s happening. It’s fucking happening! Breathe. “Hey.”

“Almost done with the till?” she asked, eyeing the money.

“Yep. Everything okay?”

She leaned closer as if she was going to tell him a secret. “I think everything is kind of amazing.”

Could teenagers have heart attacks? He was worried he was in the midst of one. His ears had started to buzz and he couldn’t feel his legs. “Oh yeah?”

“When were you going to tell me?” she said, pressing her hands to the counter, the letter trapped under one palm.

All the air whooshed out of him, and the heavy weight he’d been carrying for so long lifted off him. “God, KC, I’ve wanted to tell you for so long.”