We’re moving but not at all to the music. “This song is a bit awkward to dance to,” I say.

He pulls back just slightly. “I agree. I think it was just a lame excuse to get close to you.”

That’s all I needed. I lean up just slightly—he’s not that much taller than me—and put my lips on his. Unlike the first time, we know what we’re doing. My hand finally makes its way into his thick hair. His hand makes his way down. The kiss is soft and gentle at first, but I grab the back of his neck, go in deeper. The weed buzzes through me, intensifying everything. Then he stops. Taking a step back, he laughs and shakes his head.

“What is it?” I ask.

“I’m just high and the tiniest bit drunk.”

“Yeah. Me too. And?”

He sighs and rolls his hand forward before he can find his words. “I don’t think we should do anything this way. I mean, if that’s where things are headed. And it’s so soon. I just—I don’t know.”

I give him a pat on the arm. “It’s okay, Ezra. It’s no big deal.”

He gets a wounded look in his eyes. “It’s a big deal to me, June. You’re a big deal to me. Always have been.”

“I didn’t mean that you and I aren’t a big deal. I just meant it’s not a big deal if we don’t do anything else.”

He nods but looks a bit confused. “Maybe I should go. It’s pretty late.”

“Can you drive a boat like this?”

“I could drive blindfolded, I know this lake so well.”

I take a step closer, put my hands on his chest. “You could also stay over. We won’t be high all night.” The words sound desperate, I know, but he’s flipped that switch inside me and it’s hard to turn it off if I don’t get what I want.

He groans and moves away from me. “My god. Don’t do that.”

“What?”

“Look at me like that. And even if I thought it was a good idea”—he raises both eyebrows—“which I don’t, I can’t stay, not without telling my mom first. If she needed me in the night and I wasn’t there, it would be bad.”

His explanation deflates me. “You’re certainly devoted to her,” I say. It comes out sounding a bit resentful, so I try to soften it. “I mean, that’s good. It’s admirable.”

He shrugs. “She’s the only family I’ve got left.”

“You’ve got me. Your blood sister.” I take his hand and stroke the place where I cut into his palm a million years ago.