Possibly go back for my master’s degree since a lot of the jobs I’d been looking at seemed to require it.
At least Theo had given me something to do this week along with pretty great pay. So as long as the two other princess parties I had planned this month didn’t fall through, I might even end up with enough money to make rent. Yeah… the reality of not having an athletic scholarship and living in scholarship housing anymore was sinking in fast.
Rent, food, gas—being an adult—cost more than I realized. And the last thing I wanted was to move back in with Ky and live off my famous older brother’s generosity.
Or even worse, back home to Massachusetts with my parents.
I liked living with my best friend in Eden Falls. I didn’t want to leave.
Which was why I’d submitted a few more job applications while Charlotte watched cartoons for an hour this afternoon.
“Hey, do you know if Ky’s doing his beach house party this July?” Miles nudged my arm, bringing me back from my thoughts. “I haven’t seen a text about it yet.”
“Oh, I’m sure he’s doing it,” I said, perking up at the thought, since my brother’s parties were always a good time. “His summer isn’t nearly as packed this year as it was last year, so I think he has most of July off.” I pulled out my phone. “Let me ask, though.”
I typed out a quick message to my brother.
Me: Miles and I are wondering if you’re having your epic 4th of July party this year. Have you even thought about it?
I must have caught Ky at a good time because he texted back almost immediately.
Ky: I’m planning on it. I just need to talk to Ian first to make sure our events don’t overlap since everyone loves going to his family’s yacht party too.
“Sounds like the invites are on the way.” I showed Miles the screen. He scanned over the conversation. Once he was done, I slipped my phone back into my pocket, then asked, “What are Ian’s yacht parties even like?”
I’d never been. Never been on a yacht, period.
“They’re fun. Pretty chill.” Miles leaned back in his chair, a slow smile tugging at his mouth as his gaze briefly flicked over to Alessi and Bash. “Some years being more memorable than others.”
And with that little look, my brain flashed back to Ky’s New Year’s Eve party when they mentioned that one of those yacht parties had inspired one of Alessi’s hit songs, “Under the Firework Sky,” the romantic pop hit that had gone viral and exploded her career overnight.
“You should come this time,” Miles said, looking back at me. “I know you think we’re all old, but you’re a college graduate now. You’re one of us.”
“One of you?” I snorted softly. “Except for the fact that I’m neither rich nor famous.”
“You know what I mean,” Miles said, nudging my arm playfully. “You’re in a similar stage of life. No more school at least, right?”
“I guess,” I said. Though I wouldn’t mind if the “being rich” part were true for me like it seemed to be for all of my brother’s friends. “And now that Lucy is dating Ian’s best friend, I’ll actually have a friend to go with, so… I’ll think about it.”
“Am I not your friend?” Miles placed a hand over his chest, feigning like I’d just hurt him. “Because I thought we hadsomething special, Nora. Has it just been me daydreaming about that New Year’s kiss all these months?”
I laughed lightly, trying to play it cool even though my stomach flipped at his words. Because if anyone had been replaying that kiss, it was definitely me.
“Okay,” I said, lifting a shoulder lightly. “I guess we’re friends, too.”
“Good.”
Across from us, Bash pushed to his feet. “We’re going to refill our drinks. Want us to grab you anything?”
“I’m good,” Miles said, lifting his cup to show it was still mostly full.
I glanced down at mine. “I’m good, too. Thanks.”
Bash helped Alessi to her feet, his hand settling easily at her waist as they walked off together. I almost asked Miles if he knew whether they were officially a thing yet, but before I could, Miles turned to face me more fully, like he had something important to say.
“Hey. Now that they’re gone…” His voice was suddenly serious. “I was wondering if I could ask you something.”
“What’s up?”