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sharing such confidential information, she said, “I guess…uh, I don’t know.”
    â€œCome on, there’s gotta be someone.” Skyla gave her a sly, wide-eyed look. “What’s the big secret?”
    â€œNo secret.”
    â€œOkay, well then?”
    â€œMaybe Noah?” Phoebe said tentatively, recalling his hair, several shades darker than her own, something that seemed meaningful.
    â€œYeah, he’s cute, in a dweebie way.” She grinned, her magnificent pink lips stretching across her fabulously white teeth.
    Phoebe smiled. “I’m a little bit of a dweeb too, Skyla.” She shook her head. “No, you’re not. Look at you.” She stared pointedly at Phoebe’s chest. “You lost weight and gained it in all the right places. Now you look fantastic.”
    These words jarred Phoebe, but before she could fully consider them she felt someone’s eyes on her; and when she glanced up, she saw Jessie staring at her in dismay. “Hey, you’re late, where’ve you been?” Phoebe asked.
    â€œStupid teacher kept me after class,” Jessie said in a disgruntled tone as she perused the crowded table. “Guess I’ll look for another spot. You seen Emma?”
    â€œShe got switched to next shift. Come here, Jess.” Phoebe tried to squeeze over but to no avail.
    â€œOver there, Jessie,” Skyla said, motioning for two of the girls at the other end to make room. When they didn’t, she said, “Hey, guys, move. Okay?” Reluctantly, Jessie sat down.
    â€œEverybody happy?” Skyla chirped before turning back to Phoebe. “You know who I want to go with?”
    â€œNo, who?” Phoebe said, trying to make eye contact with Jessie.
    â€œMax. He’s a sophomore. Made Varsity football. Pretty cool, huh?”
    â€œYeah, that’s cool all right,” Phoebe said, planning to move to the other end of the table as soon as someone left. But Skyla chattered on, making escape impossible.
    At once, Skyla lowered her voice. Eyes wide, she said, “What do you think about a joint birthday party, Feebs? Sweet fourteen?” She batted her lustrous eyelashes in dramatic fashion. “Just like the old days?”
    Phoebe wanted to correct her, sweet sixteen, not fourteen, but confined herself to, “Okay, sure,” recalling their tenth and eleventh birthday parties. They’d been fun – delightful, really – and she yearned for the uncomplicated normalcy of those days.
    â€œMaybe we can have it at the club?” Skyla went on, referring to the Chevy Chase Club, where Phoebe’s parents were members and Skyla’s had once hoped to join. Phoebe’s eyes traveled to the end of the table worried Jessie might hear, but she was chatting with Daisy.
    â€œYeah, maybe,” Phoebe said. “I’ll have to check with my mom.”
    After lunch, and out of earshot of Skyla, Jessie said, “Your new best friend, huh?”
    â€œYeah,” Phoebe said and they both laughed, though she detected a hint of jealousy. She imagined if she claimed that she and Skyla had both matured, her comment might be met with Jessie’s crossed arms and a skeptical look.
    So there was no way she would tell her about Skyla’s suggestion of a joint birthday party. In her mind she was already making excuses: Well, our birthdays are only a week apart in November. It’ll be fun, don’t you think? And, really, I think Skyla has changed.
    Now she hugged Jessie and whispered Noah’s invitation into her ear. Minutes later, a plan was in place to deflect Phoebe’s mother’s questions.

Chapter Five
    With the parents’ party in mind, Isabel left her law office early so she could spend a relaxing hour getting her nails done. Work had left her frazzled. Though she often enjoyed running into friends at Aqua, today she just longed for some peace and quiet.
    About to enter the neighborhood