Chapter 40
POV: Emma
I kept telling myself it wasn't a date.
Neighbors shared meals.
Neighbors laughed.
Neighbors argued over pizza toppings.
Perfectly normal.
So why had I spent ten whole minutes wondering if my hair looked ridiculous after the rain?
"This is embarrassing," I muttered to myself.
Mrs. Alvarez overheard me as she watered her roses.
"Talking to yourself?"
"I was... thinking out loud."
"Dangerous habit."
"Why?"
"Someone might answer."
I laughed despite myself.
The afternoon passed quietly until Leo appeared in the courtyard carrying a microphone.
"Attention, everyone!"
Walter frowned.
"That's never good."
Leo beamed.
"The annual Brookside Talent Night begins in thirty minutes!"
A chorus of groans filled the courtyard.
Mrs. Alvarez sighed.
"I hoped he'd
