Chapter 37

Lila’s POV

“I need you to call Liam.” Riley held her cracked-up flip phone at arm’s length like it was a grenade.

My eyes slid to the ancient little device. It looked like it had survived three world wars, a tornado, and an unsanctioned paintball match. Riley was a notorious cheapskate—she lived for thrift-shop fashion and discount grocery runs—so it made sense. I also knew she busted her ass at substitute teaching just to cover rent and ramen, and I admired her grit… a little.

We’d both grown up with single moms on tight budgets. Her mom struggled on a teacher’s salary; mine had struggled under piles of medical bills. With every chemo bill my mom paid off, she chipped away at her house mortgage—and by the time she passed just before my graduation, that house was mine. Between selling it (after covering the last of her bills) and smart budgeting, I’d never had to cramp too hard. My phone was proof: full-price upgrade every two years, thankyouverymuch.