I’m about to get into his car when I see Peter striding over to us. “Hold up a second,” he says, a
pleasant half smile on his face.
Warily I say, “Hey.”
“Hey, Kavinsky,” John says.
Peter gives him a nod. “I didn’t get a chance to say happy birthday, Covey.”
“But—you saw me in chem class... ,” I say.
“Well, you left in a hurry. I have something for you. Open up your hands.” He takes the snow globe
out of my hand and gives it to John. “Here, can you hold this?”
I look from Peter to John. Now I’m nervous.
“Hold your hands out,” Peter prompts. I look at John one more time before I obey, and Peter pulls
something out of his pocket and drops it into my palms. My heart locket. “It’s yours.”
Slowly I say, “I thought you returned the necklace to your mom’s store.”
“Nope. Wouldn’t look right on another girl.”
I blink. “Peter, I can’t accept this.” I try to give it back, but he shakes his head; he won’t take it.
“Peter, please.”
“No. When I get you back, I’m gonna put that necklace back around your neck and pin you.” He
tries to hold my eyes with his own. “Like the 1950s. Remember, Lara Jean?”
I open my mouth and then close it. “I don’t think pin means what you think it means,” I tell him,
holding the necklace out to him. “Please, just take it.”
“Tell me what your wish is,” he urges. “Wish for anything, and I’ll give it to you, Lara Jean. All
you have to do is ask.”
I feel dizzy. All around us, people are exiting the building, walking to their cars. John is standing
beside me, and Peter is looking at me like we’re the only two people here. Anywhere.
It’s John’s voice that makes me break away. “What are you doing, Kavinsky?” John says, shaking
his head. “This is pathetic. You treated her like garbage and now you decide you want her back?”
“Stay out of it, Sundance Kid,” Peter snaps. To me he says softly, “You promised you wouldn’t
break my heart. In the contract you said you wouldn’t, but you did, Covey.”
I’ve never heard him sound so sincere, so heartfelt. “I’m sorry,” I say, my voice whisper-thin. “I
just can’t.”
I don’t look back at Peter as I get into the car, but his necklace is still dangling from my fist. At the
last second I turn around, but we’re too far away; I can’t see if Peter’s still there or not. My heart is
racing. What would I regret losing more? The reality of Peter or the dream of John? Who can’t I live
without?
I think back to John’s hand on mine. Lying next to him in the snow. The way his eyes looked even
bluer when he laughed. I don’t want to give that up. I don’t want to give up Peter, either. There are so
many things to love about them both. Peter’s boyish confidence, his sunny outlook on life, the way he
is so kind to Kitty. The way my heart flips over every time I see his car pull up in front of my house.
We drive in silence for a few minutes, and then, looking straight ahead, John says, “Did I even
have a shot?”
“I could fall in love with you so easily,” I whisper. “I’m halfway there already.” His Adam’s
apple bobs in his throat. “You’re so perfect in my memory, and you’re perfect now. It’s like I