“Someone’s been looking,” Finn says under his breath before taking a large sip of his beer. I ignore him.

“Yeah, because I need to, not because I want to,” I tell Aaron.

“You could just let Molly run by herself outside,” he says.

“Not for her. I need it for me.”

He looks at me questioningly, but before he can ask anything else, Finn calls out to me. “Okay, one question to determine whether I really like you or not. If you could travel anywhere right now, where would it be?”

I frown. “What kind of question is that?”

“Just answer it,” Finn says.

I shrug. “Home, I guess. I don’t travel much.”

Aaron’s friend’s jaw falls, as if I’ve just said something crazy like dogs aren’t the Universe’s greatest creation. “But…how? Why?”

I can’t answer his question honestly when he doesn’t have the full story. He wouldn’t understand if I said I don’t see the point of discovering new places when I know I won’t remember them in a few years. So instead, I say, “I’m comfortable in my stuff.”

While Finn gives me the stink eye, Aaron studies me silently. I feel rather than see his gaze.

“Okayyy,” Finn says, “but let’s say you need to choose somewhere. Where would you go.”

With my index finger, I trace the circle of condensation my glass has made on the sticky table. I haven’t thought about traveling in so long. Not since my uncle got sick. Grandpa could’ve been a one-time thing. Mom could’ve been really unlucky. But three in a row? I didn’t need superpowers to know I’d be next. Most of my life plans went up in flames then.

There used to be a time when I had a bucket list of places I wanted to visit. Back when I was a young girl who dreamed of doing grand things with my life. I still remember the place I’d written at the top of that imaginary list.

“Australia,” I answer.

Finn grins. “And why’s that?”

I shrug again, this time for another reason. There’s probably never been a stupider explanation. “I’ve always wanted to see koalas in their natural habitat.” It’s not the same seeing animals in a zoo. Anyway, I don’t like seeing wild animals trapped in a cage.

“Really?” Aaron says, crinkles lining his forehead.

“Yeah, really. They look super soft.”

He clearly tries to hold it in, but his grin only grows at my answer. A corner of my lips rises in return.

“Well, I know some people Down Under, so if ever you decide to go, just let me know, and I’ll show you all the things you’ve been missing,” Finn says, smirking.

Aaron jumps to his feet, putting both hands on Finn’s shoulders. “All right, lover boy. Time to go back home.”