Max’s eyes went to Ava.
Ava was still standing there. Still holding June’s hand. She hadn’t moved.
“Ava,” Max said. “Did you— What did you tell him?”
“I didn’t tell him anything,” Ava said. Her voice was very small, but it didn’t shake. “I told Mom. Mr. Hale was standing right there.”
Max looked around. At all the faces in the tent. At his friends at the nearest table, who’d stopped laughing. At Claire’s family, who were staring at him. At his own mother, who’d dropped her hand from her mouth and wasn’t smiling anymore.
“This is ridiculous,” Max said. His voice went up. “He’s not even really her boyfriend! She’s paying him! It’s fake! It’s all fake!”
Edward turned and looked at me.
He looked at me for a long moment. Long enough that I could feel everyone watching us.
Then he turned back to Max.
“No, Max,” he
