Page 151

“This is Immy, and this handsome dude is Leon, both mates from KU. Guys, Emily.”

Standing in the hall, we all nodded and smiled and hi’d each other. Immy was gorgeous, all long legs and blond curly hair that hung nearly to her waist like mine. She was wearing a short skirt that only just covered her bum. Leon was tall with brown curly hair, deep brown eyes, and an easy smile.

“Hi, Dylan,” Jack said as Doctor Dyl sauntered out from the kitchen and shook Jack’s hand.

“Hello again.”

Jack introduced his friends, and Dylan regarded Leon with curiosity… a little too much curiosity for my taste.

“What’s the address?” Dylan asked, and when Jack gave it to him, he typed it directly into his phone. His tight smile signaled he was still conflicted about letting me go.

What did he think I was going to get up to?

“Do I need to bring anything?” I asked.

“Nah, I’ve got some beers.” Jack turned slightly to show his backpack.

“Okay. Shall we go?” I was anxious to leave Dylan and his fretting.

“Sure. Ready, guys?” he said to his friends.

They both nodded with enthusiasm, and we turned to leave.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” I wanted to reassure Doctor Dyl before he had a coronary.

“Have fun, Emily. Don’t drink too much. Call me if you need me. I’ll come get you.” Dylan watched us leave, and I only heard the door close once we’d cleared the driveway.

I walked with Immy, and we talked about France and school. Immy was planning on becoming a doctor. She was studying biology, chemistry, maths, and physics.

“Wow. That sounds like a lot of work.”

“Yeah. But I like it.”

“My uncle’s a doctor.”

“Dylan?”

“Yeah.”

“Cool. He’s mad hot,” Immy said with a grin.

Dylan. Mad hot?

Perhaps Lulu was right. There were so many crazy ladies.

I gave her a weak smile, not really knowing how to respond to her comment.

Leon fell into step beside me. “Good summer?” he asked with a charming smile.

Bam!

My stomach fell away, and for a nanosecond, I was alone, standing in Canterbury’s municipal graveyard, staring at a distant oak tree while I buried my family.

What do I say?

I should have realized I’d be asked questions about recent events, but I didn’t want to bring everyone down or burden Leon with my woes.

“Yes, thanks. You?” My response was bland and polite. This was how I would cope.