Page 61 of Chasing Stardust

“I wish they’d taken a video instead of a picture.”

“Me, too, honey. Me, too.”

I bite back a grin, my pulse racing from the memory. “We stole it.”

“The picture?”

“Dash helped me climb onto a table and . . .” Giddy excitement washes over me all over again. “I can’t believe I did that.”

“It sounds like you’re having a wonderful adventure.”

“I am. I even kinda-sorta learned to drive a stick shift, not that I’ll be trying that again anytime soon. But . . .” I choke back a sob as the desperate desire to hear Mom’s voice washes over me.

“Zoey, what’s wrong?” G-Lo asks.

“I just . . .” The last thing I want is to ask my grandmother for advice about guys, but it’s either her or Jeanie, and I’d sooner die than ask my sister. “I think I really screwed up last night.”

“By stealing a picture? Oh, honey, I’ve done far worse—”

“No. Not that. I thought . . .” I touch my lips, the impression left by Dash’s finger still seared in my memory, the taste of his hot breath still lingering. “I was so sure he was going to kiss me, but at the last second, he pulled away and got . . . mad? We both said some pretty harsh words, and we . . . we haven’t spoken since.” I let out a slow breath, resting my head against the glass. “I have no idea what I did wrong. Maybe it’s for the best. We’re from completely different worlds. But God, I really wanted him to kiss me.”

“Is he . . . ?” She trails off.

“Gay? No. I already grilled him on the way to Memphis. Unless he’s lying, he’s straight. And he certainly seemed interested.” My thoughts drift back to our almost kiss, and heat floods my cheeks. “Until he wasn’t. And now . . .” I can’t help wondering if peeing my pants repulsed him. Damian sure as hell would’ve been.

“What did he say when you told him you dumped the douche canoe?”

A bead of sweat slides down my temple, and I wipe it with the back of my hand. “I-I didn’t.”

Her breath hitches. “You didn’t tell him?”

“No.” I squeeze my eyes shut and slump into my seat. “I didn’t want him to think . . . it doesn’t matter now.”

“Maybe that’s why he didn’t kiss you.”

“You’re right.” I blow out a breath. I may not know much about Dash Hammond, but I’m pretty sure he’s not the kind of guy who would steal another guy’s girlfriend. “I’m so stupid.”

“What are you waiting for?”

I scrub a hand down my sweaty face. “If I tell him now, he’ll think it’s because he didn’t kiss me.”

“Isn’t it, though?” G-Lo laughs. “Give him a little credit. He may be relieved to find out you’re unattached.”

“But what if he’s not?”

“Not what?”

“Relieved? Interested?” I glance at Dash’s worn copy of On the Road and groan. “Why would a college graduate, who drives a damn Tesla and reads Kerouac for fun, be interested in a small-town girl with nothing but a high school diploma and zero life experience?”

“Why would he agree to drive you halfway across the country if he wasn’t at least intrigued?”

“I don’t know.” My attention drifts as I search the distance for a familiar face. “Maybe you’re right.”

“You know, your mother had a steamy little romance the summer we took our trip.”

My jaw drops. “She did?”

“Didn’t you read her diary?”