Page 48 of The Last Five Yards

At first, Maren thinks she misheard it. The guitar kid pauses too, startled, then laughs.

“Oh, come on,” he says. “Really?”

“Yes, really. Play I Kissed a Girl. You know you know it.”

Maren’s whole body goes still.

She knows that voice.

Every version of that voice.

From age twelve until now.

She turns toward the sound.

Reese is standing on the far side of the fire, a red Solo cup in one hand, her hair pulled back messily like she ran her hands through it too many times. She is grinning, head tipped back slightly, confident and warm in a way Maren has never been able to forget.

The guitar guy rolls his eyes but starts strumming the opening chords anyway. A few people cheer. Someone whoops loudly.

Reese looks delighted. Of course she requested this song. Of course she did.

Ava leans closer to Maren, voice low.

“She showed up like twenty minutes ago.”

Maren nods, trying not to look like her heart is punching against her ribs in an attempt to escape.

Across the fire, Reese finally notices her.

Her grin softens.

Her eyes catch the firelight and go warm.

She lifts her chin in a tiny, quiet hello.

Maren lifts her hand in return, barely a wave. Her fingers feel too stiff.

The guitar launches into the chorus, off-key in the best way. People sing loudly and terribly.

Reese mouths the lyrics across the fire like a joke, like a memory, like a dare.

Maren feels the moment hit her square in the chest.

Not painful.

But known.

So, known.

She looks down at the blanket in her lap, trying to steady the rush of heat to her face.

Ava nudges her again.

“You, okay?”

Maren nods.

She is not.