Natalia

I leave Paulie without a word and begin making my way around the bonfire toward the man. He’s no longer looking at me, but that doesn’t matter. I don’t know who this man is and I’ve got sort of a bad feeling.

That creeping sensation down my spine that I felt when Ashlyn and I left the bar comes back. Like I’m being watched, except right now the man is looking right at Ash like she’s a deer and he’s a wolf. And Paulie’s tone didn’t help either. He’s a good friend—it’s why I’m his friend—he looks out for his own. So I make a beeline for Ash.

When I finally reach her, I snatch her hand and pull her to her feet. “Come on, Ash. Let’s dance!”

Ashlyn reels me in and whispers low in my ear, “I’m a little busy if you didn’t notice!”

I turned to the mysterious stranger and offer the most charming smile I can manage. If there’s a right time for my persuasion skills to kick in, now is it.

“You don’t mind, do you? Just a little birthday celebrating with my best friend?”

The man holds a curious expression, but a slight smile crosses his lips. “Not at all.”

I lead Ashlyn off before she can protest, pulling her out of earshot of the stranger.

“What the hell are you doing?” she asks in a hiss. “I was like two seconds from getting his phone number!”

“Who is he?” I look over her shoulder to keep a watchful eye on him. Something’s just too strange about the guy. “Did you invite him?”

“No, he probably came with someone else. Who cares! Did you see him? He’s gorgeous!”

“Ash.” I hold onto her wrists, shaking them gently to get her attention. “Listen, we aren’t stupid girls. We don’t fall for random men we just met until we’re sure they aren’t murderers.”

“Oh, come on,” Ashlyn groans. “He’s not a murderer. He just moved here. I’m trying to show him a little hospitality. And did you see that jawline?”

I chance a glance at him. It is particularly sharp. “You know who else had a sharp jawline?” I ask, giving her another shake. “Ted freaking Bundy!”

Ashlyn snorts and pulls her wrists away. “You’re being ridiculous. Like this would be the first time either of us hooked up with a dude at a bonfire.”

“That’s not the point, Ash.” I cross my arms and press my gaze onto her. “Safety first. Always.”

“Okay,” Ashlyn sighs, throwing back her head. “I will be ultra, super safe. Can I go talk to the guy now? Just talk?”

I glance one more time at him. He seems normal enough, though a bit of a loner. I do wonder why he even came if he’s so uninterested in chatting with the people around him. But maybe Ashlyn’s right. Maybe he’s just new here and a little out of place. “I’ll be watching. Give me a sign if things get weird.”

“I know, I know,” Ashlyn says. She pulls away from me, and I allow her to go, frowning at the uneasy feeling simmering inside of me.

They go back to chatting and I try to relax a little, fetching a fresh cup of beer from the keg.

“Hey, Nat. Aren’t you going to give a speech?”

I look over to Samantha Reyes and the small crowd that sits comfortably around her. They stare at us with anticipation.

“Come on,” she says. “Speech, speech, speech!”

Quickly, the others join in.

“Speech! Speech! Speech!”

“Okay, okay!” I cry, sating their appetites. “A speech it is.” I climb precariously onto a wobbling log and find balance on my heels. After a moment, the chatter dies down, and everyone waits to hear me speak. I raise my cup to the sky and smile. “Thank you all for coming! I’m happy to see so many familiar faces. I know it’s been a while since so many of us have been together. And though I know a ton of you are probably just here for the free food—”

Gentle boos erupt, and I laugh, waving the noise down.

“Okay, okay. Seriously, I’m just glad you’re all here. It means a lot, so…thanks. I know as we get older, it’s just going to get easier and easier to drift apart, so…” I can taste a bittersweetness in the air, the expressions on the faces of my guests softening. I lift my cup again and clear my throat, putting more pep into my voice. “So let’s not distance ourselves! Here’s to more nights like this one!”

The crowd cheers around me, clapping as I step down from the log. I glance around as everyone quickly devolves back to their chatter, relieved to be out of the limelight.

I turn to the bonfire, where Ashlyn’s seat has gone empty. The seat beside her is vacant as well. I find myself scanning the crowd, trying to track her down, but she’s nowhere to be seen.

Then something catches at the periphery of my vision. The flash of her curls disappearing into the trees. The faintest sound of her voice, giggling as she vanishes into the forest.

A deep worrisome pit opens up in me. Something isn’t right here. Something about that man isn’t right.

I don’t know how to explain it, but I just know: Ashlyn is in danger.

Immediately, I take off toward her as fast as my feet will take me.