Mom’s frown tilted to a smile. We played this game every morning when she was in the hospital, making up stuff we were going to do that day.

“Well, I was thinking I’d cook up some fresh scones and roast some coffee to take over to Central Park and eat on a picnic blanket since it’s so nice out,” she said. “Then I’ll go up to the Museum of Natural History for a few hours before taking in a matinee on Broadway, since it’s Wednesday. After that, maybe I’ll catch a flight up to Boston to have lobster for dinner. What about you?”

I leaned in and kissed my mom on the cheek. “I was thinking of acing my second-period chem test and then cutting out for the rest of the day to take Anna to the beach.”

Mom’s eyes narrowed. “The only made-up part of that better be about cutting classes, young man. I expect you to ace your chem test.”

“Love you. I’ll see you after the beach.” I winked. “I mean school.”***Anna didn’t see me coming.

She hadn’t told me she’d planned to meet me at the hospital this morning, but I knew it was her, even from behind. After the last month, I could identify that ass in a lineup. Anna Benson had been my friend since we were kids. Six months ago, things changed. I’d always loved her, but I’d never thought of her that way—until one night when we’d spent twelve hours in the ER with my mom. Anna had fallen asleep with her head on my shoulder, and when she woke up, she looked up at me and smiled. Those big brown eyes were the color of honey, and suddenly, I had a sweet tooth. It was like getting hit over the head with a two-by-four. How had I not thought of her that way before? I leaned in and kissed her right there in the germ-infested emergency room, and neither of us ever looked back.

I still loved her like I had when we were kids, but now I also got to see her naked. So I’d say things had changed for the better—a hell of a lot better.

Anna was busy flipping through a notebook with her back to the glass revolving door, so I tiptoed up behind her and kissed her exposed shoulder.

She slapped the book shut. “Kenny, is that you?”

I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed tight. “Cute. Very cute.”

She turned to face me, hooking her arms around my neck. “I brought you breakfast and wrote the short story that’s due today in English—you know, the one you completely forgot about.”

English paper? “You’re the best.”

“How’s your mom doing?”

“Better. Her white blood count has come up a little, and she got up and walked a bit last night. Her color looks better, too. She’s not as gray. But the doc said it’s going to take a while. This last round of chemo really kicked her immune system’s ass.”

Anna sighed. “Well, better is good. What can I do to help? Maybe I’ll make her some cookies after school and stop by the library to pick her up some new books before I visit tonight.”

“Actually, there is one thing you can do to help her.”

“What?”

I pressed my forehead to hers and brushed the hair back from her face. “You can cut out after fourth period with me and go to the beach.”

She laughed. “And how exactly will that help your mom?”

“Well, I’ve been stressed lately, and she can sense it. That, in turn, makes her stressed, and stress isn’t good for her already weakened immune system. So a day at the beach, looking at you in that little bikini I like so much, would help me relax, which would make Mom relax, and help her immune system.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You’re so full of shit.”

“No, really.” My lip twitched at the corner, but somehow I managed to contain my smirk. “Basically, my mom’s life depends on this.”

Anna leaned in the little bit separating us and kissed my lips. “I’ll cut out with you for a beach day, but only because I do think you’ve been stressed lately and could use a few hours of carefree time—not because I’m buying any of your crap.”

I flashed an eager smile. “You’re the best.”

“But you’re also going back for baseball practice after school while I go home and make Rose some cookies. After, you’re going to pick me up to take me to the hospital to visit for a few hours tonight, and on the way over we are stopping at the library and getting her some new books.”

“Deal.” I brushed my lips with hers and spoke so my words vibrated against them. “By the way, I love it when you’re all bossy.”

“Well, that’s good. You should probably get used to it.”Chapter 4