It’s the only thing I can do, because I’m not giving up.

  “This is amazing!” Pepper’s voice is hushed, and she walks along the line of prints hanging on the line in my darkroom. “I look like a professional skater!”

  The door is open, and the white lights are on. My insides are quiet, numb, but I wanted to keep my tidying date with my little friend. She wanted to see her photos.

  I was afraid to come down here, but I took a deep breath, swallowing against the invisible hand squeezing my throat.

  Someone has been here. All the prints I’d made of Scar have been taken down, and I assume stored. I’ll check in with Blake about that later.

  “You’re a natural athlete, Pep.” My voice is quiet. “Everything you do is impressive.”

  “Everything except English.” She turns pouty.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Ms. Ingalls said my writing is stilted and mechanical. She said I don’t give good examples from the text, and it’s like reading a recipe.”

  “Dang.” My eyebrows rise. “That’s pretty harsh. Have you told Hutch?”

  “No!” She makes a face at me like I’ve lost my mind. “He made straight As in all his subjects. You think he wants to know I’m an idiot?”

  “You’re not an idiot.” I give her the slant eye. It’s just the two of us in the room, and she’s flipping through a stack of prints I plan to take with us on Monday. “I think he’d be happy to help you or get you a tutor if he knows you’re struggling. Not everybody’s born knowing how to do everything.”

  Wrinkling her nose, she looks up at me. “It sure seems that way. Ainsley makes As in all her classes, and she’s good at sports, too.”

  “She’s not as good as you.” I put my arm around my little buddy’s shoulder. “I’ve never seen anyone play ball the way you did last year, not even professionals. If there’s an award for Little League players, you should’ve got it.”

  Pepper shrugs, and she points to the photo I took of Ainsley doing an arabesque behind the park bench. “She’s prettier than me, too.”

  Frustration twists in my chest. I remember these days she’s experiencing so well. “When I was taking pictures, it looked like you were having a lot of fun. Isn’t that the most important thing?”

  She doesn’t answer, so I continue. “It also seemed like Tommy and his friends were pretty impressed with your skating skills. Not that it matters what other people think.”

  “Everybody says that, but it matters.”

  Taking a beat, I hand her a photo of Tommy sitting across from her. He’s holding a slushie with a red straw spoon towards her, and her head is tilted back laughing.

  “It feels that way sometimes, but I’ll tell you something I learned the hard way.”

  She takes the photo, studying it. When she blinks up to me, she’s really listening now. I say a little prayer, then I continue with what I’m thinking.

  “If you spend all your time worrying about what other people think, you’ll miss out on all the amazing things happening around you.”

  Her lips twist, and my stomach sinks. I can’t tell if she got what I was trying to say.

  “Wow. This is amazing!” She pulls a print from the stack, and my breath catches.

  All my emotions surge to the surface.

  “Yes,” I manage to whisper, tears heating my eyes.

  She’s holding a photo of Scar on the beach. It’s one of the ones where he’s looking dead-on at the camera, and the intensity of his gaze would make anyone’s knees weak.

  Only he was looking at me.

  “Mr. Scar can be really scary looking.” Pepper’s voice is thoughtful. “But he’s always been really sweet to me. And to you!”

  She looks up at me with a bright smile, and I know everyone is thinking the same thing. They all think he and I are together. Pepper’s not ready to understand how complicated adult relationships can be.

  I’ve got to get out of here.

  Blinking away from the photo, I catch her hand. “Aren’t we going to tidy my room?”

  “Oh, yeah–let’s do it!” She heads out the door, and I don’t look back before switching off the lights.

  Pepper sits in the center of my bedroom holding up a pair of wooden Dutch shoes. “These clogs do not spark joy.”

  “That’s the truth.” I’m sitting at my desk holding a pen. “I wouldn’t wish the pain of those shoes on the meanest person in the world.”

  For a beat, I think… Maybe.

  “What do we do with them?” She holds the clogs up, examining them. “They look authentic, like something out of ‘It’s a Small World.’”

  “Maybe give them to a theater group?”

  Poking out her lips, she nods. “Carmen’s taking an improv class in the fall. Maybe she can take them with her!”

  “Carmen didn’t tell me she’s taking an improv class in the fall!”

  “Maybe you should spend more time with your friends.” Pepper makes a disappointed face, and I laugh.

  “I plan on doing just that, starting now.”

  Turning to my desk, a long checkbook is in front of me, and I scroll through the names on my phone. I’m looking for three in particular, and as I see one, I write a check for the amount I think I owe. I’m not completely sure, but I plan to get Trip to help me when we get to New York. He says I can’t repay my debts, but I can sure as hell try.

  Walking slowly to where I’m working, Pepper leans against my chair. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m doing something that brings me joy.”

  Pepper’s nose wrinkles. “Writing checks? I thought people hated writing checks.” Leaning closer, her eyebrows rise. “That’s a lot of zeroes.”

  “I owe a lot of money.”

  “What did you buy?”

  Pulling my bottom lip between my teeth, I can’t tell her the unedited version. “Clothes, food… party stuff.”

  “Must’ve been some party.”

  “It was.” I shake my head. “I thought the bigger the party, the better I’d feel, but it didn’t work.”

  Confusion lines her face. “But if you owed so much money, why did they keep letting you borrow more?”

  “Because when you owe people money, they have power over you.”

  Big brown eyes blink to mine. “Like they can tell you what to do?”

  “More like they own you. Don’t ever borrow more than you can repay.”

  “But if you can repay it, why borrow it?”

  Leaning back in the chair, I exhale a deep sigh. “You are a very smart girl, Pepper Winston. I don’t ever want to hear you say you’re not.”

  “I guess.” She walks to where a small pile of baggy dresses and clear plastic shoes lies in a pile. “I wish I was more normal. Maybe if my mom were here, she could tell me things. Like maybe she was bad at English, too.”

  I watch her slide her finger down a sequined sheath dress hanging in my closet, and I get an idea.

  Taking out my phone, I send a quick text. I can do dinner tonight. Meet at Slim Harolds?

  It only takes a moment for him to reply. Sure–7?

  It’s a date.

  “I’m really glad you decided to meet me. I guess your boyfriend doesn’t mind?” Teal gives me a half-smile. “I can’t say I wouldn’t mind if it were me.”

  He’s wearing nice jeans and a light-blue, long-sleeved button-down. I still haven’t broken the big-city habit of dressing up to go out, so I’m wearing a long-sleeved, black sheath-dress and nude stilettos. My hair is down, but I’ve pulled the top back in a barrette.

  “I don’t really have a boyfriend.” I poke my straw in the margarita he bought me.

  “It’s okay, I understand.” He’s holding a beer. “It’s like a safety thing? Wanted to be sure I’m not a creep first?”

  “Something like that.” My insides are heavy, and I’m having second-thoughts about doing this.

  I really want to be in my pajamas, curled up on the sofa eating ice cream and watching movies with my head in Blake’s lap while I cry. The only problem is Blake spends all of her nights with Hutch these days, and I need to do this for Pepper.

  The jukebox is playing an old Buddy Holly song loud enough that we have to shout. Slim Harold’s is a knock-off of a Myrtle Beach club from the 1950s called Fat Harold’s. It’s vintage style with chrome high-top tables and red-leather stools. Betty-Boop-style murals decorate the walls.

  Older couples like to shag-dance on the sawdust-covered dance floor in the back of the room, and a waitress rolls up to take our order in a dress so short her ruffled, boy-short underwear shows.

  “What should I get?” Teal wrinkles his nose as he peruses the menu.

  “I know it sounds weird, but the thick-cut bologna sandwich and mac and cheese are really good. It’s sort-of their signature dish.”

  He gives me a skeptical look and orders a grilled cheese and coleslaw. “Never been much for the processed meats.”

  “Are you’re a vegan?” I take another sip of my drink.

  My goal tonight is to find out everything I can about this guy for Hutch. We all love Pepper, and after everything she said today, I’m not letting Teal near her until I’m sure he’ll only boost her wobbly, pre-pubescent self-esteem.

  “More like vegetarian.” He sips his beer. “I got into it when I was in training. People talk about how much protein is in meat, but you can get just as much from beans and rice.”

  “I think they have red beans and rice on the menu.” I look behind him on the wall, and my stomach drops when Scar enters the crowded bar.

  “They do, but it has sausage in it, which kills the deal.” Teal is talking, but I’m not paying attention.

  I blink down to the table fast, taking a long sip of my drink. My hands are shaking wildly, so I tuck them under my thighs on the high stool. My eyes heat with tears I will not shed in public, but my heart beats so hard it hurts. What is he doing here?

  My date frowns at me. “Are you okay?”

  Leaning forward, I catch the straw with my lips and take another long sip, doing my best to calm my breathing.

  “I’m good.” I am so not good. “You wanted to talk about Pepper?”

  “Yeah…” He glances over his shoulder, then back at me guzzling the last of my margarita with a loud slurp. “That was fast… Do you want another?”

  My hand is already up, but I’m ducking behind Teal, doing my best to signal our waitress without drawing attention. It doesn’t work.

  Scar’s wolf eyes land on mine, and his brow lowers when he sees I’m not alone. His frown tightens, the muscle in his jaw moves, and pain flashes from my chest to my toes.

  “Another round for both of us.” Teal smiles at our waitress, and I do my best not to hide under the table. “I don’t know where to begin asking questions. What’s she like?”

  My insides are roaring, and I wish the waitress would hurry up. Only one thing will kill this pain right now, and it’s more tequila. “I’m sorry, what?”

  Teal’s brow quirks, but he pretends not to notice my distraction. “What’s she like? Pepper. Is she girly or tom-boyish? Does she like bologna sandwiches?”

  Taking a deep breath, the alcohol is finally entering my bloodstream, and I manage a smile. “She’s one of the best athletes I’ve ever seen.”

  “Really?” His entire face brightens, and he leans forward on his stool. “What does she do? Swim? Volleyball? Track?”

  “Softball! She was shortstop for Stinky’s Snow Cones last season.”

  He emits a staccato laugh, pride twinkling in his eyes. “You don’t say?”

  “I guess we know where she got her talent now. Although lately she’s been into skating… Oh, and that KonMari Method. Have you heard of that?”

  “Is that the little Japanese lady on Netflix?”

  “Yes, and she’s driving us all crazy.”

  He smiles so big, hanging on my every word, my heart softens in spite of my internal distress. He’s so hungry for everything I’m telling him, and hope nudges in my chest for this reunion.

  Our waitress is back, placing fresh drinks between us along with our food. I thank her and quickly grab my margarita, taking another long sip. Scar is still watching us from the bar, and it’s like burning heat on my skin. I’m not sure how much longer I can take this.

  My stomach is in knots, and I can’t eat right now, which triggers a whole fresh set of emotions. Maybe if I keep drinking, I’ll be able to manage something.

  Teal sips his beer before taking a bite of his sandwich made with thick, Texas toast.

  He nods at my dish. “That looks more like Spam than bologna. I won’t blame you for not eating it.”

  “It’s really good. My stomach is just kind of jumpy.”

  Lowering his sandwich, he gives me a flirty wink. “Am I making you nervous?”

  I’m about to tell him not in the slightest when a large, dark figure appears at my side. “Masters, right?”

  Scar’s deep voice slices through the loud music and my insides.

  “That’s right.” Teal straightens, and to his credit, he does his best to appear bold. “You were at the office today. I didn’t get your name.”

  “Oskar Lourde. What are you doing with Hana?”

  Chubby Checker sings loudly about wanting to twist again like last summer, and couples are on the floor twisting and shagging. The alcohol in my blood turns my pain into anger, and I hop off my stool, catching Teal by the wrist.

  “Do you feel like dancing? I love this song–let’s dance.”

  “Yeah.” He glances back at Scar. “Excuse us.”

  I’m ahead of him, walking fast, and when we reach the floor, it’s too crowded to do anything but stand close together, holding hands and sort-of bobbing in place.

  Teal’s face is close to my ear. “What’s up with that guy?”

  “Just ignore him.”

  “That’s not easy to do.” The song ends, and “Rock Around the Clock” starts up, provoking a loud cheer from the surrounding dancers.

  I’m buzzy and ready to show Scar he doesn’t own me. “Isn’t this fun?” I shout, smiling up at Teal.

  He smiles back, but his eyes dart around the club. I know he’s keeping an eye on my ominous bodyguard. “That guy looks like he wants to kick my ass.”

  “He won't,” I shout, shaking my head. “Tell me, Teal, are you planning to make your daughter a lot of empty promises then drop some horrible secret on her and break her heart? Because if you are…”

  “I don’t have any horrible secrets.” He studies me a beat. “I really didn’t know she existed until a few weeks ago, so it was more dropped on me. The last thing I want to do is break hear heart… But are we still talking about my daughter?”

  “Do you want to take her back to Brooklyn?”

  “No–I mean, unless she wants to visit. I’m not looking to move her from a place where she’s happy. I really want to get to know her. Maybe you can help me?”

  “Of course!” My voice is too loud as the song fades out, and I decide I’d better put something in my empty stomach besides tequila. “Let’s eat.”

  “Good idea.”

  We’re back at the table, and I wobble a bit climbing onto my stool. Picking up my sandwich, I take a big bite. Salty, grilled bologna with American cheese hits my tongue, and it actually tastes really good.

  Leaning forward on the high table, I cover my mouth with my hand. “I think I drank my margarita too fast.”

  Teal gives me another wink and that cute, dimpled grin. “Don't worry. I’ll make sure you get home safely.”

  “Her safety is my job.” Scar’s low growl makes me jump back and almost slip off my stool.

  He catches my arm, easily keeping me in my seat, and his warm, clean scent surrounds me. Pain slithers around my broken heart like vines, but I fight it.

  Jerking my arm from his grip, I cut my eyes at him. “You’re off duty.”

  “That’s not your call to make, Hana.” He says my name softly, and something new is in his eyes, something like the pain I feel at the sound of my name on his lips. “You didn’t hire me.”

  My eyes burn, but I clench my teeth. “Leave me alone.”

  “You’ve had too much to drink. I don’t like it.”

  “I don’t care what you like.”

  “Sorry.” Teal slips off his stool, and walks around to stand between Scar and me. His head only reaches Scar’s shoulder. “The lady asked you to leave her alone, so if you don’t mind. I’ll be sure she gets home.”

  Scar leans closer, getting in Teal’s face. “I’ll be sure you get her home.”

  With that he turns and stalks back to the bar. The crowd parts like the Red Sea to let him pass, and I exhale a soft growl. “He’s got a lot of nerve.”

  “I think I shat my pants.” Teal chuckles, returning to his chair across from me. “That guy is huge and scary.”

  “I’m sorry. My uncle hired Hutch to protect my sister and me almost a year ago, and some people don’t know when their services are no longer required.”

  He glances from me to the bar, where I know Scar is still glaring at us. “It seems like there might be more to the story.”

  I take another big bite of my sandwich, and tilt my head to the side. “I’m kind of ready to call it a night. Is that okay?”

  “Sure, I can drive you home.”

  We settle up with the waitress, and I follow Teal out to his slate-gray Audi sedan. It’s a nice car with soft, leather interior, and we make the short drive to my uncle’s house. Glancing in the side mirror, I see Scar’s black truck following a few car-lengths behind us, and the pain twists in my stomach again.

  Teal pulls into the long circular drive, and when we reach the front porch, he pauses. “Thanks for coming out with me tonight. I meant what I said about meeting Pepper. I really want to know her.”

  Taking a moment, I study his brown eyes. He seems sincere, and based on the way he acted tonight, I have no reason to assume he’s a jerk. He even did his best to stand up to Scar for me.

  “I’ll help you, but only if you promise me you’re not going to ditch out on her.”