The bonfire had grown bigger.
Someone had thrown another log onto it, and sparks shot high into the night sky.
Autumn slipped back into the crowd and found Lily sitting on a driftwood log.
"There you are!" Lily said immediately.
"You disappeared."
Autumn sat down beside her.
"Just walking."
"With Luca?"
Autumn sighed.
"Yes."
Lily leaned closer.
"And?"
"And what?"
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
Lily narrowed her eyes.
"You're a terrible liar."
Autumn stared into the fire.
"He just… talked."
"That boy does not walk a girl down the beach just to talk."
"Well he did."
Lily grinned.
"So he likes you."
Autumn shook her head.
"You don't know that."
"I absolutely know that."
Before Autumn could respond—
A shadow fell across them.
She didn't need to look up to know who it was.
Luca dropped onto the sand beside the log.
"Hey."
Autumn tried to sound normal.
"Hi."
Lily glanced between them with obvious interest.
Then suddenly stood.
"I'm going to get a drink."
Autumn stared at her.
"You don't drink."
"Tonight I do."
And with that she disappeared into the crowd.
Autumn groaned quietly.
"You're welcome," Luca said.
"For what?"
"Your friend just gave us privacy."
"I didn't ask for it."
He leaned back on his hands.
"Doesn't seem like you mind."