“For the millionth time, I don’t like Alex that way.” Harper rolled her eyes. “It’s your turn, by the way.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

“I’m not.” Harper sat back on the picnic table behind them, since Marcy clearly didn’t plan on playing until they discussed things. “I’ve never had anything other than platonic feelings for Alex. He’s geeky and awkward and just a friend.”

“Guys and girls can’t be friends,” Marcy insisted. “You really need to watch When Harry Met Sally.”

“Brothers and sisters can be just friends, and Alex is like a brother to me,” Harper explained. “Which is the only reason why this is weird for me. Because a guy that’s like my brother is dating my actual sister.”

“That’s gross.”

“Thanks. Can we get back to the game now?” Harper asked.

“No, this game is boring, and I’m starving.” Marcy had a beanbag in her hand, and she gave it a half-assed toss to the side. “Let’s get some cheese curds.”

“You’re the one who wanted to play this,” Harper said as she got off the picnic table.

“I know. But I didn’t realize how boring it was.”

Marcy walked through the park, pushing people if they were in her way. Harper followed more slowly behind her, glancing back over her shoulder to see if she could catch a glimpse of Gemma and Alex together.

Originally, Gemma was going to go with Marcy and Harper to the picnic, but this morning Alex had called over to invite her to go with him. That was when Harper had tried to talk to Gemma about him, but Gemma had refused to give her any details.

Harper was so busy looking for them that she wasn’t paying attention to where she was going, and she bumped right into someone, knocking an ice-cream cone out of his hand and smashing it all over his shirt.

“Oh, my gosh, I’m so sorry,” Harper said hurriedly, trying to wipe the chocolate ice cream off his T-shirt.

“You really do hate me, don’t you?” Daniel asked, and Harper realized with dismay that he was the one she’d covered in ice cream. “I mean, destroying someone’s ice-cream cone? That’s vicious.”

Her cheeks reddened. “I didn’t see you there. Honestly.” She wiped at his shirt more frantically, as if she could prevent it from staining if she rubbed hard enough.

“Oh, now I see your plan, and it’s far more devious than I thought.” Daniel smirked. “You were looking for an excuse to grope me.”

“I was not!” Harper instantly stopped touching him and took a step back.

“Good. Because you need to buy me dinner first.”

“I was only…” She gestured to his shirt and sighed. “I am sorry.”

“I’m covered in chocolate. Why don’t you apologize while we go get some napkins?” Daniel suggested.

Harper went with him over to a concession stand, where he grabbed a stack of napkins. Taking a handful from him, she walked to a drinking fountain, and Daniel followed her.