"Thanks, Maribel."
She nodded and tipped her face toward the sky.
For a while, neither of us said anything.
The garden was quiet except for the faint noise drifting in from the Boardwalk.
I tried to focus on them.
It did not work.
My hands had started trembling again.
I tucked them against my legs before Maribel could notice, but the movement only made me more aware of the restless heat crawling through me. It had not eased after stepping outside. Sitting beside her in that red dress was making it worse.
I should have told her to go back inside.
No.
I should leave.
The thought came with a sick feeling in my stomach. I could not stay at Carmen's house tonight. Not when Summer was inside. Not when Maribel was sitting right beside me. Not when Carmen had only touched my cheek to wipe off some cake cream and I had nearly lost my mind over it.
