Page 58

How have I never even heard of this feud?

“It’s like Romeo and Juliet,” I say, peering up from her journal to the dash of Logan’s truck.

“What is?”

I almost forget about Logan sitting next to me. I flush, embarrassed. “The feud between the two families. You know, Romeo and Juliet. Forbidden love.”

“Did you ever think that’s what made Juliet so enticing to Romeo?” he says, with one glance my way. “She was forbidden.”

“No,” I snap. “That wasn’t it. Have you ever read Romeo and Juliet?”

“Of course I have. Junior year, English.”

I roll my eyes, reminding myself of Katie. “Yeah, well, that’s not why he loved her.”

“If you say so.”

I furrow my brows. “You don’t like Shakespeare?”

Logan shrugs, his hands still on the wheel. “He’s not my favorite. Too tragic. I like a happy ending.”

I laugh. He has me there. But I fell in love with Romeo too many years ago to deny it now.

“Besides,” Logan says. “You’ve already got Amelia and Seth together. If that’s true, then how is it she ended up with Burt? Maybe they just became good friends.”

My storybook head has them in love—it’s true—but I’m not admitting that to Logan. I clear my throat and hold up Amelia’s book. “May I?”

His lips quirk up in a grin. “By all means.”

I begin again:

Seth and I talked my entire lunch hour. He’s so easy to be around. And he asked if he could see me tonight. Socially.

I want to shout HA! But I refrain. Besides, this doesn’t exactly prove that they were a couple. I’ve always been able to spot a good story though. It’s my secret talent. And a good story always has tragedy and love.

I probably should have said no, knowing how my aunt and uncle feel about him, but I couldn’t. He’s the only interesting person I’ve met in Ganesworth. He’s the only person I care to see.

It’s the Fourth, but luckily for me, Aunt and Uncle aren’t the type of people to celebrate. That fact has always bothered me until today. Of course they don’t have plans for Independence Day. They won’t be watching fireworks or having a dinner party. So, I knew I could slip away without anyone caring.

It was easy. I had to lie, but I’m not opposed to that, not when it means saving myself from a slow, tedious death.

I met Seth just outside of The Coachman. I asked him if he thought it was safe to meet up there. Again, he laughed at me. Apparently, our families’ feud is a quiet one. The entire town isn’t involved.

Seth bought me dinner and talked my ear off about art. I never knew art could be so interesting. Not just a painting or a drawing, but a scene, a memory, or a feeling. By the end of dinner, I was totally enthralled with my new friend.

Later, Seth drove me to the top of a deserted hill, with no one else nearby. We could still see the small-town fireworks in the distance, not much of a display but still enchanting. It all seemed wonderful to me. And there, on that hill, under the stars and fireworks, Seth kissed me.

“Ha!” I smack the book to my thighs. Not waiting for Logan’s response, I turn the page to finish the entry.

I snuck home not long ago, and here I am. Until tomorrow then. I’m actually excited for what’s to come in Ganesworth! For what’s to come with Seth Garrison.

Love,

Amelia

I shut the book, lean back, and breathe out a heavy, contented sigh. I might as well have just run the mile.

“Ha?” Logan’s brows raise. “Did you just say ‘ha’?”