“Hi, there.” He grinned at me shyly.
“Chris! Hi.” I realized my reaction might have looked as though I was expecting someone else, so I hugged him.
To my surprise, he hugged me tightly then pulled back holding on to my shoulders. “Would you like to dance?”
“Um, being that we’re practically already on the dance floor…sure, I’d love to.”
“I’ll take it.” Chris said with a rise of his eyebrows. “So.” He stared after a minute. “I realize our date might not have gone exactly as you’d hoped.”
“I think it might not have gone exactly as you’d hoped!” I corrected.
“Fair enough,” he replied, looking over my head. “So, should I even beg the question of where you’re headed after camp is over?”
“I know what my next move will be.”
“Hmm…and after that?”
I grinned and shrugged, in the most relaxed, carefree way possible, knowing that it didn’t matter where I’d go from there—because wherever I ended up, it was where I was meant to be.
Chris nodded. “Not everyone needs a plan to be happy, I guess. I think that’s what intrigued me about you in the first place. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to not need to know or have a plan. To notwantto know. To just take life for whatever it has to offer and be…well,surprisedalong the way.”
“Not everyone likes surprises,” I offered.
“No. That’s for sure.”
He twirled me once and steadied me to face him.
“Good luck, Amy. Not that you’ll need it. You’re a talented, driven, and smart girl. I’m happy to have gotten a chance to meet you.”
“Thank you, Chris. I have to be honest, it’s a little scary, and I’m still not sure I’m doing the right thing.”
“You’ve got this.” He stopped us from moving along to the music and lightly pulled my hands to kiss me on the cheek. Then he slowly let go of my hand. “It’s been really nice getting another perspective.” He winked and walked away.
With that, I smiled to myself and looked around. I didn’t see Rick anywhere. I guess he’d gone home. Haley wasn’t around either.
Well there’s that, I thought. I said good-bye and thanked Mr. and Mrs. Myers and hugged Sarah, even though I’d be seeing her for another few short weeks. I let Rachel know I’d be walking home so she and Peter could enjoy the rest of the evening without concerning themselves with me.
CHAPTER 27
About twenty minutes later, I found myself walking past the pool grounds again. I walked past the tall trees and bushes right outside the gate. The light breeze and the warm night air were soothing, and it was nice to be alone. Relief was an understatement for the way I felt now that I had a plan in motion. I was excited—free to explore and live a new adventure. I knew there would be challenges along the way, but I was even eager to meet and overcome those.
I inhaled a deep breath when I thought about the people I’d be leaving behind. It would really just be my dad and my best friend, Emily. And even though Em and I were good again, I knew it would be hard to stay close now that I was moving to New York. Maybe this is what she had been suspecting and was just making it easier on herself. I couldn’t blame her. But still, I felt better than I had in nearly a year—except for the nagging lump I was feeling just beneath my throat. But I had no doubt that would go away with time.
I flipped open the latch and let myself through the gate, closing it behind me, quietly, even though it probably didn’t matter. Anybody who would even care that I was back here would still be at the party. The swimming pool LED lights were on, but the two single overhead lights on either side of the long end of the pool were off. I looked up at the large, milky, full moon. It generously lit up the sky, revealing its shaded tones of midnight blue. It was just as shiny as that first night I had been here.
“You should leave before I call security.”
I swirled at his familiar voice.
“It’s okay, I’ve been vetted,” I replied. My back was to the swimming pool, only a few steps from it.
Rick grinned from one side of his mouth and took a few steps toward the pool, then glanced at the corner where I’d first spotted him. “Yeah. Maybe that’s what I should have just said.”
I shook my head, keeping my focus on the pool. “No, you were looking for trouble.”
“I was looking for trouble? You could have been killed out here if I was the bum you suspected me to be.”
“Nah, bums don’t hurt people; they just want to be left alone.”
