Chapter 18

Steve fought back a smile. Diana always seemed so knowledgeable and put together—it was fun to catch her off her game.

Diana’s cheeks flushed. “I guess I shouldn’t have said that.”

He shrugged, his voice softening. “I don’t remember much about Rochester. I haven’t read that book since high school—and that was a long time ago. But I did see the movie with my wi—” A shadow crossed Steve’s face. “Never mind.”

Diana picked up an orange bracelet from a booth and handed her credit card to the vendor.

“Cash only,” the man said, pointing to a small handwritten sign taped to the table.

“Oh. I didn’t bring any with me.” Her cheeks turned pink again.

Steve pulled out his wallet and handed over a few bills. “I’ve got it.”

“I’ll pay you back at school on Monday.”

His fingers brushed hers as he tied the bracelet around her wrist. “No need. Consider it a late welcome-to-town gift.”

They walked side by side in silence for a while before Diana spoke.

“I picked orange because it made me think of Sonny.”

Steve chuckled. “That’ll make his day when you tell him.”

“He seems like a good boy.”

“Sonny has a good heart,” Steve said, adjusting the bag of vegetables he carried. “But both of his older brothers are deep in gang life. I worry about him a lot.”

Diana stopped, and a small child darted around her legs. “That’s why the work we do at Equal Opportunity is so important.”

Images of Sonny’s brothers surfaced in Steve’s mind. “We didn’t save his older brothers.”

“But you gave them another option.”

Steve looked at her, struck by the hope in her voice and the light in her eyes. “You really have a heart for those kids.”

“I believe everyone deserves equal opportunities,” Diana said with a soft smile. “Pun intended.”

He swallowed. “Which means you’re still set on volunteering?”

“Absolutely. You’re not getting rid of me.” Diana stepped closer. “Just so you know, I did think about what you said the other day. I weighed the risks. I’m still going.”

“Can you at least promise me you’ll only go when I’m there? I’d feel better if I knew that.” He raised his hands before she could interrupt. “Before you answer, just know—I’ve only missed one night in the past two years.”

She tilted her head and smiled. “I promise.”

After Steve left, Diana bought an ice cream cone and snagged a seat in the gazebo.

A group of girls she recognized from school clustered on the gazebo steps. They didn’t seem to notice her. Their attention was fixed on Georgina, who was strutting through the market in spandex pants and a sports bra.

“Do you think they’re natural?” one girl snorted.

“No way! No one has a chest like that without surgery,” said another.

“My dad says they are. He had classes with her in high school,” the first added.

“She’s such a joke. No one likes her. I’m stuck on the volleyball team with her.”

“My dad said she slept with every guy in the football team and still no one asked her to prom.”

“She’s so pathetic.”

Diana’s throat tightened. She wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words.

Georgina glanced back toward the girls—just for a second—then made a beeline toward the town hall. Diana finally found her voice.