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I hated it. Hated their attention and interest and the way they looked at me like I was a science project they hadn’t quite figured out. But if I was going to ever escape from Darling Hill, if I was ever going to forge my own path, I had to stick to the plan.
“So what are we doing later?”
“Sorry, what?” I frowned at Miles.
He reminded me of a puppy with his big brown eyes, mop of dark wild curls, and toothy grin. The Mulligans were good friends with my father and Sabrina so I’d seen Miles at the house a few times since I’d returned. He was always polite and friendly. But I wasn’t looking to make friends. My heart was already shattered enough.
“After school, what are we doing? I thought we could head to Samphire and check out their fall menu.”
“And Samphire would be…”
Celeste chuckled. “It’s a little bistro downtown. It does the most amazing stone-baked pizza. So freaking good.”
“Right.”
“Sorry.” Miles dipped his head. “I forget that you don’t—”
“Miles,” Celeste said quietly.
“Guys, it’s okay. You don’t have to do that. We all know I’m not… used to this.”
I wasn’t sure I was ever going to be used to it. But it was my life now, at least for the next ten months.
“Okay, I have a better idea.” Celeste smiled. “What about if we get ice cream from Banana Splits and head down to the park? We might be able to get a table and it’s such a nice day.”
“I was going to head back to the house and study.”
“But you have to come. It’s our Monday afternoon ritual. We always do something.”
“Celeste is right.” Miles nodded. “Besides, you need the tour.”
“The tour…” My brow quirked.
“Yeah. I know you haven’t ventured out much, so we could give you the behind-the-scenes tour.”
“You’re not going to take no for an answer, are you?”
“Nope.” Miles grinned, stealing a bunch of grapes off Celeste’s plate. “I need to head to the library, but I’ll see the two of you later.”
As he walked away, I murmured, “He’s very…”
“Cute?”
“I was going to say peppy.”
“Don’t be deceived by his good looks and charm. Miles Mulligan rocks a mean left hook.”
“Good looks, huh?” I teased. “Sounds an awful lot like someone has a crush.”
“On Miles? Please.” Celeste scoffed. “He’s like a brother to me.”
“Hmm.”
“Harleigh, I mean it. I don’t like Miles like that. Besides, he wasn’t gazing longingly at me.”
I almost choked on my juice. “Don’t be ridiculous. He doesn’t even know me.”
“Exactly. You have that mysterious new girl appeal.”
