A Beautiful Dark

nearer. I guessed karma had kept them at bay until we were done.
    “I can’t believe you guys helped me clean up this mess,” Ian said as he surveyed the work. “I was getting paid for it.”
    “I mean, we’re really good friends,” said Cassie.
    I tipped my mug in his direction. “You probably do owe us. Don’t worry, we’ll collect on it soon.”
    “There’s still a lot left to be done,” Dan said as he glanced around at the buckled floor and splintered walls.
    “The construction crew will be in tomorrow,” Ian told him.
    We sat in silence for several moments simply enjoying watching someone else work. The Bean’s general manager, Burt, had come through earlier with the insurance adjuster to assess the damage and was in his office now making phone calls.
    “So what was with those guys last night?” Cassie asked, a glint in her eye. “The two who were fighting.”
    Dan shrugged. “I don’t know. I didn’t even see them until the crowd formed. Were they there the whole time?”
    “They were arguing about something,” I said.
    Cassie sat up. “You saw them? Did you get a good look? What did they look like?”
    I took a sip of the spicy hot chocolate and suddenly wished I hadn’t said anything. I’d sort of wanted to keep my private conversation with Asher outside, well, private. “Yeah, when I came back inside. I sort of heard the beginning of their fight.”
    “What were they arguing about?” Dan asked. “Had to be pretty serious, the way they were going after each other.”
    Everyone looked at me like I was going to spill some huge juicy piece of gossip. “Honestly, guys, I don’t know. Something about rules. Whatever. I didn’t really hear.”
    Ian snorted. “How about the Respect Skye’s Birthday rule?”
    “That is an important one,” I said, giving his shoulder a nudge. He smiled and turned away, but I could see a blush creeping up the back of his neck.
    “But who were they?” Cassie asked. “Anybody know?”
    “Why are you, like, so interested?” Dan said, kicking her foot lightly.
    “Dan,” Cassie said, addressing him like you would a visitor from another planet. “If they are new in town and they are hot, I’m interested.”
    “They’ve never been in here before,” said Ian. “At least not while I was working. They’re probably just tourists. Here for ski season.”
    Only I wasn’t so sure. I thought about the guy who’d been leaning against the wall outside. Asher. The sense of déjà vu I’d felt when he’d looked at me. But I couldn’t tell my friends that. I couldn’t even explain the feeling to myself.
    I remembered the lone figure standing in the street, watching us as we drove off. Even now the memory gave me chills. I tried to brush it off, but the scene clung to me. Why did I know that it had been Asher? And why had he been watching me? Had he felt the same giddy attraction I’d felt? Or was it something more?
    “Just so you know, Skye, we did not invite them,” Cassie said.
    “Yeah, but we didn’t close down the Bean, either,” Ian said. “Burt nixed that request, so we couldn’t exactly control who was at the party. Anyone could have come in off the street.”
    “Next year, I’ll convince him to close it down,” Cassie promised.
    “Next year, no surprise party,” I insisted. “Please? For my senior year, you have to grant me that one wish.”
    “Yeah, sure, whatever you say, Skye.” Cassie put her hand in front of her face and shook her head at Dan and Ian as though I couldn’t see. Another surprise party was inevitable.
    “Well, since you’re ignoring all my requests anyway”—I got to my feet—“I promised Aunt Jo I’d be home before the storm hit, and it’s been way longer than an hour.”
    Ian stood up. “Thanks again. You saved my life today.” He awkwardly pulled my hood down over my face before shoving his hands into his pockets and saying he needed to go talk to the manager. He walked off.
    “He’s so cute,” Cassie said. “I don’t know why you don’t just go out with him already.”
    “You think all guys are cute,” Dan muttered.
    “No, I don’t, Daniel. I think some are hot .”
    I left them to their squabbling and headed out to my car. I didn’t know why I had a sense that someone was watching me. I glanced around. People were trudging up and down the street, wandering in and out of the shops. But I was looking for someone in particular. Asher.
    Only I didn’t see him. Instead, I was