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On the other hand, itwouldbe a way to further convince my family that what we had was real. And it wasn’t as though we’d have to share a bed. There were two twins in the room I slept in at the cabin. There’d be no need for any awkwardness at nighttime.
Reggie was still watching me expectantly when I made up my mind.
“I’m warning you,” I said. “If Dad finds out you’re excited to talk to him about history, you’ll be his favorite person ever.”
Reggie took that as the invitation it was. His smile grew. “His favorite personever? Wow. In that case, I’mabsolutelycoming. It’s been centuries since I was someone’s favorite person.”
I smiled back at him. “You are really fond of hyperbole, aren’t you.”
“Oh, yes,” he said, earnestly. “It’s my favorite word beginning withhyper.”
God, his sense of humor was disarming.
Dangerous.
Ignoring the warning klaxon going off in my head, I said, “If you’re sure, I’ll text you the details.”
“Marvelous.” Even if I hadn’t been able to see him grinning at me, I would have heard the smile in his voice. “I’m sincerely looking forward to it.”
SIXTEEN
Excerpt from R.C.’s bullet journal: written in alternating shades of blue, red, and green ink, with smiley and frowny face stickers scattered throughout the page and bright red doodled hearts by every heading
Mission statement:To live each day with courage, compassion, and curiosity. To become a better version of myself each day and inspire others in my path to do the same.To keep self under control in Wisconsin and not let Amelia see how badly I want to kiss her again
Feelings: Confused. A.C. only invited me to Wisconsin because she was put on the spot but sometimes, the way she looks at me makes me wonder whether she likes me for real.I am pathetic and delusional.How could someone like her possibly want someone like me.The idea I might have feelings for her is terrifying
To-do list:
Pilfer South Side blood bank for supplies
Pack: a. Meals; b. Old Fuzzy; c. Monopoly; d. Glockenspiel
Leave note on door to throw Collective off trail if they come looking for me
Amelia
“You are not taking allthat crap with you to Wisconsin.”
I looked up from the briefcase I’d been packing with work files to see Sophie standing at the foot of my bed, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. She had the same look on her face she always did whenever I did something disappointing.
Like taking work on a trip that was supposed to be a vacation.
“You’re as bad as Gracie,” I said. Gracie, for her part, was curled up sleeping on my bed. But if she’d been awake, I was sure she’d have been licking her paw in a way that expressed maximum disapproval.
“You’re not supposed to work up there,” Sophie insisted. “Family togetherness, bonding in the wilderness, hooking up with your pretend boyfriend—that’swhat this vacation is about.”
