When we leave the stairwell, it’s hand in hand. Aiden’s thumb rests lightly against my hand, rubbing with each fall of our feet as we cross through the building and out into the afternoon sunshine. We walk down the sidewalk, my hand in his, and it feels like we’re walking through a different city. Like the day is brighter, the people around us more alive. It sounds so freaking cliché. But for the first time in weeks, I see the happy smiles of couples and I don’t scowl. I don’t envision how they’ll end; don’t wish them to crash and burn in some sort of fiery anger-filled breakup. This is what summer is supposed to feel like—exciting and carefree and new. Emma would approve.

Aiden’s phone buzzes and he plucks it from his pocket, swiping with one hand while mine dangles in his other. He silently slides his finger across the screen and then drops my hand.

“Everything okay?”

There’s a long pause as his fingers slow down and his phone returns to his pocket. “Yeah, fine.” But he doesn’t sound fine. He doesn’t sound like the Aiden who sees sunsets where I see goldfish.

And his hand doesn’t find mine again. It goes in his pocket, and we walk in silence. Past a giant, glittering mosaic that he doesn’t even give a passing glance. Up the hill, and four blocks over, in silence the whole time. So that’s that. A kiss in a stairwell. One kiss, and it’s over as quickly as it started. Which is fine. Longer just means harder. Trying harder, falling harder. And I’m taking life less seriously this summer, anyway. Aiden gets in front of me, and his long strides are outpacing me. He’s not running, but he might as well be. And I’m done chasing.

Chapter

Ten

OLIVIA

When you live in a town as small as Riverton, and work somewhere like River Depot—where everyone is up in your business all the time—it’s not hard to know when you’re being avoided.