Free Forget Me by K.A. Harrington

the passenger seat and me—the third wheel—in the back.
    â€œI offered to pick Evan up,” Reece said as we stopped at a light. “But he said he’d meet us there. I think he’s still scared of you.”
    Toni chuckled.
    â€œVery funny.” I crossed my arms and looked out the window. “Where are we going anyway?”
    Reece’s eyes flicked to mine in the rearview. “Happy Time Mini Golf.”
    â€œAwesome!” Toni turned in her seat. “You’ve been wanting to go there. Do you have your camera with you?”
    â€œNo, but I can plan out some shots.” I smiled. Reece had chosen the place specifically because he knew I’d like it. Maybe he wasn’t so bad.
    â€œSee that beauty up there?” Reece let up on the gas and slowed past a house up on a hill, surrounded by a black iron gate. We had a lot of nice houses in town, but this one was even bigger. It reminded me of Evan’s house in Littlefield. “Some night we’ll party there. It’s the King Mother of houses.”
    â€œKing Mother is a contradiction,” Toni said.
    Reece gave her a playful look. “Fine, it’s the Queen Mother. No one lives there right now, I think, so I doubt there’s a security system. But that gate around the property is locked, and there’s no side street nearby to easily hide all the cars. One of these days, though, I’ll figure out the best way to conquer it. And we will party!”
    Toni snorted. “Such lofty ambition you have. And to think some people want to cure cancer.”
    â€œThere will be plenty of time for that once I get out of River’s End,” Reece said. “But for now . . . a guy’s got to have a short-term goal.”
    I had to hand it to him, Reece was good at organizing. He worked with what we had. City kids had rooftop parties. Country kids took over barns. We had empty places.
    Minutes later we parked in the lot for Happy Time Mini Golf. I twisted in my seat to quickly take in every corner. No sign of Evan.
    â€œHe’ll be here,” Reece said, reading my mind. “I’m going to get the stuff ready.”
    He got out and popped the trunk. Toni reached for the door handle, but I put my hand on her shoulder and said, “Wait a sec.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” she said, turning to face me. “I’m here. So if the guy’s a weirdo, we can just—”
    â€œIt’s not that,” I interrupted. “It’s Reece.”
    â€œWe already know
he’s
a weirdo.”
    â€œNo. Just . . .” I sighed. “I know this isn’t a real date and you’re not into it, but do me a favor and be nice to him.”
    Toni rolled her eyes. “Jeez, Morgan. Did you think I was going to be rude all night? I’m not a stone-cold bitch, just a room-temperature one.”
    â€œI know. It’s just . . . he’s actually not that bad. Keep an open mind.”
    She looked at me like I’d sprouted a second head. “Focus on your own fake date and I’ll worry about mine.”
    â€œHeads up!” Reece called from outside.
    A plain, gray sedan pulled into the lot and parked beside us. My muscles tensed as I saw Evan behind the wheel. Knowing the size of the house this guy lived in, I’d been expecting him to drive something a little more flashy. But I was kind of glad that he didn’t. He killed the engine and got out, wearing jeans and a black fleece jacket.
    â€œTime to go!” Toni said, and bounded out of the car.
    I followed wordlessly, my throat feeling suddenly tight. I had no idea why Evan wanted to see me again. I kept my eyes on the pavement as I stepped toward him, admiring the hardy weeds that pushed through the cracks. When I was close enough to see the cuffs of his dark jeans, I looked up.
    I had to hold back the gasp that wanted to escape from my mouth.
Flynn’s cheekbones, Flynn’s