“I look so…bright.” 

“You look fine,” Hannah maintained cheerfully. “You look very – ” 

“ – Blinding? Glaring?” 

“Summer.” Hannah was not about to be swayed. “Good choice.” 

I fingered the edge of my yellow summer dress.  It bared a tanned and freckled shoulder.  I suddenly felt very vulnerable, like maybe I was too exposed.  I wished I had worn jeans and some good running shoes. I would feel safer in that casual attire. 

Hannah crossed her arms and tapped her foot. “Stop it. You’re freaking yourself out.” 

“Yes.” And there was no point, really.  Even when I was as bright as a neon billboard, he failed to notice.  I shouldn’t have tried. I was not one of those girls who could pull off that adorable, cute, sunflower look.  I was starting to wonder if there was any kind of look other than the tomboy, girl-in-jeans-and-college-shirt look that I could manage.  But I couldn’t help but hope for the chance that he would look at me, really look at me, and notice me.  My chances looked rather pitiful at the moment. 

“Can we go in now?  I’m tired of staring at his front door.” 

“Just a second. What was that stress relieving technique your yoga instructor told you?” 

The front door opened and slammed. “Lana, did you bring the food?” 

Brent trotted down the front walk towards us. I opened my eyes. 

“Yes, we got the food.  No, we’re not getting it for you.  It’s in the car, you Neanderthal,” Hannah added under her breath, smiling sweetly at him as he walked past. 

“CARTER!” Brent hollered. “Get your ass out here and make yourself useful.” 

“Come on,” Hannah nudged me. “That’s our cue to go inside.” 

Nick and some other guy raced past us – I think it might have been Jake - twin blurs, nearly knocking me off the porch that gracefully wrapped around the front of his sprawling two-story beach house.  My chances had just dropped radically.  Or maybe they hadn’t changed at all. 

“Lana!” 

I jerked my head up. “I know, I’m coming.” 

My parents were inside, speaking to the Carter parents.  I saw Toby Williams inside, the drummer for Brent’s band.  He was flipping burgers, and he looked up briefly to wave at us. 

“Hey, Lana,” Nick’s voice greeted me. 

I jumped. “Hi.” 

He walked past me, holding a bag of charcoal. “Could you do me a favor and get some glasses or cups or something? Jake’s bringing in the food.” 

“Sure, I – ” 

“Nick! You’re here!” 

A girl’s voice – feminine, pretty, and cheerful. Laced with obvious eagerness.  I took a startled step back. Someone’s girlfriend?  This was a Carter family party, with a few of Brent and Nick’s mutual friends. So who in the hell was this? 

The girl – future catwalk model – launched herself into Nick’s arms.  I stared at the sky.  Pretty sunset.  I glanced back at them when Nick spoke again, a nonchalant expression on my face. 

“Lana, I don’t think you’ve ever met Stephanie. She’s Jake’s little sister. She’s been at a boarding school, and she just came back from college.” He said this as if it were supposed to be some sort of monumental moment.  Gee, Carter, where the hell do you think I’ve been for this past year? 

Then I did a classic double take.  Jake’s sister?  Jake’s younger sister?  Yes, that was so balanced, it ought to be criminal. I went to find Hannah, who was flirting with Toby. 

I shook my head dazedly. “Poetic justice.” 

“Karma.” 

“Same thing.” 

Nick was flirting with the sister again. Stephanie. That witch. 

9. Get Him To Ask You
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