“But what if—”
“Go, sis,” she interrupts. “Go, and don’t worry about me. I’m nineteen. Next year I’ll be twenty. I’m not a kid anymore. I’m not even the same person I was last year. I’ve learned things. Done things.” She swallows. “Just go. I’ll be mad at you if you don’t.”
I take her hand and squeeze it hard.
“You’re sure? You won’t miss me too much?”
“I’ll be fine,” she says.
Cat always tells me the truth. But there’s something in her face I don’t like. Something unspoken. Something weighing on her.
I hold her hand in both of mine, looking at her closely.
“You know you can tell me anything,” I say.
Cat’s eyes meet mine for just a moment and then drop to our linked fingers as she shrugs and says, “Sure. Of course.”
“And you can call me every day . . . I’m sure Miles can get you a phone.”
“Sundays will be fine,” Cat says, squeezing my hand in return. Then, deciding that’s not enough, she leans forward and hugs me. “I love you, Zo. You deserve happiness. You always did.”
“We both do,” I tell her.
Cat nods without answering.
Miles sets fresh drinks in front of each of our seats.
“What did I miss?” He asks.
“Dance with me and I’ll tell you,” I say.
“I love that offer,” he says, already pulling me to my feet.
He takes me in his arms, swaying me in that smooth, fluid way that seems to bend the music around us, as if the rhythm follows us instead of the other way around.
I look up into his eyes.
“I’m coming with you,” I say. “Whenever you want.”
“Good,” Miles grins. “ ‘Cause I already bought your ticket.”
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Bonus Scene
Miles and Zoe are throwing their first Hollywood party and it gets a little wild…