Chapter 9

“It’s really stupid.” Riva shook her head. “So stupid.”

“Asking a girl out isn’t stupid,” Daisy said softly.

Oh.

Daisy hadn’t been one of the people who’d seen the note Riva and Emmy had exchanged. Riva quickly rewound the encounter in her mind and realized what it must have looked like. Daisy’s supportive attitude made a lot more sense all of a sudden.

“You thought I admitted to being gay. And that people were being mean to me about it.”

“Is that not what happened?”

“No, no. I don’t think Emmy would have blown me off so hard if that was what was going on.” Riva’s face flamed.

Daisy was clearly a good person, someone who didn’t want to let bullies win the day. It made Riva feel guilty to know she’d been benefiting from a false impression—especially when she still really wanted to go to the beach and have a friend.

Daisy’s jaw worked as she drove.

“It’s okay,” Riva said. “You can ask. You deserve an answer at this point, I think.”