Forbidden Boy

You can miss him—it’s okay to miss him, Julia

She had only gone two steps toward her house when she 220

Forbidden Boy

saw light coming from one of the stark, minimalist rooms of the Moores’ glass house. Julia

Even from her perch frozen at the bottom of the dune, Julia

Julia

221

Chapter Twenty-four

!

The next day, Julia

Chloe popped a pale green grape into her mouth before answering. “Stanford.”

“And what’s his name again?” Julia

“Aaron.” Chloe tossed another grape into the air and caught it in her mouth.

“And you met him on rotation at work?” After her own dating drama, Julia

“Yep. He’s premed, too, but he’s going to be a 222

Forbidden Boy

junior.” Chloe’s cheeks were glowing a radiant pink. Her date two days ago had been such a success that Julia

She loved the way her sister’s face glowed when she was this happy.

“And he took you out for Greek food?” Julia

“Yup. Definite points for that,” Chloe chirped. “I am getting sick to death of first dates with checkered table-cloths and drippy candles. So overplayed.” She giggled.

Julia

Julia

“I hope so,” Chloe remarked. “Have you given any thought to art school applications yet?”

“Not so much,” Julia

Hailey Abbott

thinking that the courtyard mural I did this summer might give me an edge. Not many people do outdoor art.”

“And don’t forget the pictures of our house! The sepia ones you took have ‘professional artist’ written all over them,” Chloe added excitedly.

“Well, I’ll clearly know who to call when I need a manager.”

“I thought you’d never ask,” Chloe shot back glee-fully. “Do you want to hear my short-term educational plan for you, or the five-year business plan?” Just as Chloe was opening her mouth to share her (inevitably alphabetized and color-coded) strategies with her sister, the doorbell rang.

“Ooh, saved by the bell! You got lucky this time, Jules.” Chloe jumped up and ran to the door.

Julia

Standing on the stoop were Mr. and Mrs. Moore, dressed to the nines. At their side, Remi bounced slightly, like a ru

Inches behind Julia

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that his jaw had dropped at the sight of their visitors as well. She wondered for a second why the still-silent Moores looked as shocked to find themselves on the Kahns’ front steps as the Kahns were to see them there.

Hadn’t they had a few minutes to get used to the idea on theirwalk over? Julia

After an utterly awkward moment of Kahns staring at Moores and Moores staring at Kahns in complete and total silence, all attention shifted to Remi. While his parents sulked in the doorway, he rushed past Chloe, nearly knocking her down again , on his way into the Kahns’ living room. He was carrying a large poster tube in one hand. Julia

“Remington! Come back here!” Mr. Moore snapped.

He turned to Chloe, mainly because she was directly in front of him and said, “I apologize for my son’s rash behavior.”

“It’s fine,” Chloe said slowly. “Your son is always wel-come here.” Her voice was icy. “We have no problem at all with him.”

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Hailey Abbott

Remi’s words came rushing out, rapid fire. “Listen, Julia

Standing across the room, Julia

“I have an idea!” Remi burst out. Then he looked up from his pile of papers and blushed in Julia