Page 114 of Just One More Thing

The crowd starts cheering. I turn to see Walt now on the dance floor with Elizabeth’s cameraman—a tall guy named Pete—doing an electric slide with terrifying enthusiasm.

The Tail Flickers slow things down. I find Mo just as the opening notes ofYou’re Still The Oneroll across The Green.

“Nice timing,” she says.

“Wasn’t me.”

“Sure.”

“I’ll take credit if you want me to.”

“I want you to,” she says.

I hold out my hand. She takes it. I draw her in. For a few seconds, we just move. She tucks against my chest like she’s been doing it her whole life, and my hand finds the small of her back.

I lower my mouth near her ear. “Remember when you thought you ruined everything?”

She looks up at me.

“I want this,” I say. “I want to be with you. Not just tonight. Not just for the summer. Not only until your grandmother’s cast comes off.”

“Jake,” she whispers.

“I’m not asking you to solve it right now.” My thumb moves along her back. “I’m just done pretending I don’t want more.”

She doesn’t say anything for a few seconds, and then her hand slides from my shoulder to the side of my face.

“Me too,” she says.

CHAPTER 29

EMORY

Jake texts me at four o’clock.

I want to take you somewhere tonight.

I take a sip from my bkr and stare at the screen, flour on my hands, curiosity officially piqued.

That’s it? That’s the whole invitation

Yes.

Very mysterious

Thanks.

It wasn’t a compliment

I know. See you at six. Dress for the water.

I set my phone facedown and go back to the bagel dough I’m testing. I roll it exactly three more times before I pick the phone back up.

What does dress for the water mean exactly

It means you’re going to be near water.

That tells me nothing