I let out a soft groan as I ease my bare feet into the hot water. What an amazing way to spend my day off.

"Too hot?" asks the woman who sitting at my feet on a little stool.

"Nope. Perfect."

The woman sprinkles a capful of what looks like blue sand into the tub, and a fragrant smell of jasmine hits my nose. This feels so good. And it was pretty incredible of Mrs. Amato, the school book club advisor, to give me a gift card for a mani-pedi because she'd appreciated how I'd organized the book drives this year.

I'd half expected to open the envelope and find a card for the local bookstore, but was equally excited to receive this. I've never gotten a professional manicure and pedicure, and if I'd been able to afford anything like this, I would have probably gone to the place in the strip mall near the grocery store.

But this place is sweet, tucked away in a restored bungalow just off a busy road. I relaxed from the moment I walked in and smelled the fragrant candles. I could get used to regular visits here. From the polished wood floors to the water sculpture to the heavenly hand massage, I don't want this day to end. Even the music is good: Amy Winehouse crooning to match my mood.

It felt so adult to walk in and have someone meticulously clip, file and polish my nails. I'd chosen a pale pink polish, and the nail technician painted a vine of delicate white flowers on each of my ring fingers. I can't stop holding my hands at arm's length to admire it.

"Big night tonight?" the tech asks. "Prom? Date with boyfriend?"

I shake my head. Great. I've successfully spent an entire hour not thinking about Griffin. The minute she says boyfriend, my stomach jumps. "Nope. Prom was last month, I didn't go, and I don't have a boyfriend. Netflix and chill. Alone." I sigh out loud. At least I don't have to work today, a Saturday.

I know what I'm not doing: going to Griffin's party tonight.

The woman makes a clicking noise with her tongue as she scrubs my feet and bare calves with a substance that feels like soapy sandpaper. I relax back into the chair. It's ridiculous how much I've been thinking of him this week, ever since I went through the photos.

I couldn't stop wondering about him in class, while studying or home alone in bed. Little things reminded me of him, like a song on Spotify or the flash of a certain kind of car on the street. Even during my shift at the diner last night I'd hoped he'd stop in, which of course was just wishful thinking.

I allow my eyes to flutter shut, and I'm almost dozing off when I hear my name.

"Oh my god. Juliette?"

Why does that voice sound so familiar? I open my eyes and Victoria—she of the red hair, long legs and familiar way with Griffin—is standing next to my pedicure chair.

"Hi." I'm probably coming off as shy but I'm really startled. She's so...colorful. Her grin is wide and she's all decked out in tiny shorts, a thin tank top and huge black sunglasses. I try again. "Hi, Victoria."

She leans over and air kisses my cheek. Grinning, she slips her sunglasses on top of her head and strides over to the pedicure chair next to mine.

"Such a pretty color. I love the nail art," she says, pointing at my fingers. Then, to the nail tech: "I'll have exactly what she had. But with red, and white flowers."

The woman at her feet nods and runs the water in the foot basin.

"It's so good to see you. I wish we could've talked more last weekend, but you know how it goes sometimes." She waves her hand dismissively. "It's so loud at Babylon, and then you're so hoarse from yelling in the club that you don't feel like talking on the street."

I nod, and smile. This is strange. She seems to be treating me like an equal, not like a seventeen-year-old getting her first pedicure.

"So, how long have you been going out with Griffin?" She dips her feet into the water and lets out a little yelp.

My laugh is a little too loud and explosive. "I'm not going out with Griffin."

She turns to look at me, splashing water everywhere in the process. It doesn't seem to faze her, but the nail tech scowls.

"Please. I saw the way you two were dancing. Griffin Davis does not dance with women like that. Ever. And that little thing where the DJ did a shout out to him? That happens a lot, and I've never seen him put his arm around anyone like he did with you that night."

My breath catches in my throat. "Really?" I don't mean to sound so surprised, or so eager, around Victoria. Because I'm skeptical. But I want her to be telling the truth.

She settles back into her chair, nodding firmly. "I mean, let's not pretend. Griffin's a bit of a..." her voice trails off and that wide grin spreads on her face. "I would say fuckboy, but that's not true, because he isn't an asshole to women. No, he's actually pretty respectful. He's more like a manwhore. He just doesn't do relationships."

The nail tech taps my leg. "Excuse me? Can you put your foot up here on the pad so I can paint your toes?"

I'm so riveted by what Victoria's saying that I've forgotten all about the pedicure. "Oh, sorry," I whisper.

Victoria's eyebrows lift. "At least I didn't think he did relationships. Then I saw him with you."

I swallow hard. This puts everything in a different light. Still, I should play it cool around her. I try to remember if she ever came over to our house when she was in high school with Ashton, but my mind is blank. "We're just friends. Because of my brother."

"Mmhmm," she says with a conspiratorial glint in her eyes.

Then, I get an idea. I'll probably never see Griffin again, but I can certainly probe Victoria for some answers. "Well, if he was so interested in me, he would've invited me to his party tonight."

"He didn't invite you?" Her brow furrows. "I can't imagine why he wouldn't. It probably just slipped his mind. I mean, I just saw him this morning and he mentioned you."

"He did?" My heart bangs against my chest.

"Yeah, he was talking to his sister about you." She roots around in her giant white purse and takes out her phone. "Let's call him and tell him you're coming tonight with me."

"Stop!" I'm so loud that the nail tech gets polish on my little toe. She shakes her head and wipes it off with her finger. "I mean, no. There's no need to do that."

Somehow Victoria manages to lean toward me while still keeping her feet in the water. "Here's an idea. Why don't you come with me and we'll surprise him!"

I lick my lips. What would he do if I showed up?

"Griffin loves surprises. He probably didn't say anything to you about the party because he was worried that you'd feel uncomfortable, because everyone will be older. But let's show him otherwise. Come with me tonight. You live here in Kendall, right?"

I nod. She sounds so breezy, so confident, that I almost believe her. But the fact that he'd said his party wasn't for me gives me pause. But I don't want to tell her that.

"I have some friends coming over to get ready beforehand. Then we'll Uber over to his house." The corners of her mouth turn down. "Or will your mom not let you go?"

"No, she will," I lie.

"Please come with us? It'll be fun."

My thoughts spin, thinking of everything I'll have to do to make this work. I glance at her and she looks like she's holding her breath.

"Okay," I say, still not sure.

She claps her fingers together excitedly. "Tell me your number and I'll text you my address."

By the time we exchange info, my toes are ready and the tech says I need to stick my feet under a dryer. I give Victoria a little wave and she kisses the air twice. "We're going to have the best time tonight!"

The polish dryer station is in another room, closer to the door, and I carefully take my phone out of my purse, hoping I won't mess up my nails. I let out a breath when I see they're unscathed. I slowly tap Allison's number and she answers.

"Why are you calling me? What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. I just got a manicure with that gift card Mrs. Amato gave me."

"You never call me. You always text. And why are you whispering?"

"I need you to cover for me. I'm going somewhere tonight and I want to tell my mom I'm staying at your house." I'm out of breath, I'm so nervous.

There's a muffled sound, as if she's putting the phone down. "Welcome to Diablo's Diner, home of the bottomless nacho platter," I hear her say.

After a few more minutes of banter and noise, she returns. "Fine. Sure. I'll cover for you. And I know exactly where you're going and I want you to know that I don't entirely approve. I'd go with you as your chaperone but I'm supposed to go on a double date with Lucas and Lucas's brother and his girlfriend. I can't get out of that. So I want you to text me on the hour, every hour."

She talks on, telling me what to do if things go wrong and how she'll call the cops if she doesn't hear from me. My stomach does little flip-flops as I listen, thinking about what I'll wear and, more importantly, what I'll say to Griffin when I see him tonight...

____