I followed Julian back up the beach, but when he returned to the mansion, I veered back to the bonfire. By now, the fire was dying down. Veronica and Jessica were sitting with their backs to it, facing the ocean. They each had a glass of wine and a marshmallow in hand. The opened bag sat between them.
I walked over to them. “Where’s Nicholas?”
“He went inside soon after you left,” Veronica said.
“He didn’t even say goodnight,” Jessica added.
“It’s been a long day today,” Veronica told her.
Jessica shrugged. “True.”
“Why don’t you join us for a while, Piper?” Veronica added.
I looked back at the mansion, where Julian and just disappeared inside. I tried to imagine myself going to my room and trying to sleep. With the thought of that kiss in the front of my mind, sleep didn’t seem lik
