I glanced over at him. This sounded like some kind of relationship talk. Was he going to ask me to Sneak? My heart sped up, but I went for a casual tone. “That is true.”

“I just—I guess I think we should, you know, actually go out sometime.”

I was a little disappointed I hadn’t gotten an invite to the Sneak, but I guess an actual date of any kind would work for now. I managed a smile. “We could probably make that happen.”

“I was thinking Saturday.”

Okay, a definite date helped. “Saturday works.”

“Cool.”

Scout and Michael popped out from between the thorns. His curly hair was standing up; her cheeks were flushed. I had to bite my lip to keep from saying something snarky.

“All right, Parker. You ready for school?”

I nodded. “Let’s do it.”

I picked up the remains of our lunch, then stood up so Jason could fold up the blanket.

“We’ll walk you,” Michael said, extending his crooked elbow toward Scout. She rolled her eyes, but took it.

Jason glanced at me with amusement.

“Don’t even think about it,” I warned him, but didn’t object when he entangled our fingers together.

We walked back through the alley and past the SRF and bank building, then hit the Erie Avenue sidewalk back toward the school.

That was where we found John Creed, standing beside the low stone fence that contained the St. Sophia’s grounds, his heavy eyebrows pinched together as he gazed at the phone in his hands. He looked up when we approached, then slid his phone into his pocket.

“I didn’t know we had plans,” Jason said.

“We don’t. I had to drop by Franklin’s. That’s my dad,” he explained, gaze on me. “He’s got an office up the street.”

“How is Franklin?” Jason asked.

“Knee-deep in money.” Creed looked at Scout. “And you are?”

“Scout Green,” Michael said. “She’s another St. Sophia’s girl.”

“Swell to meet you, Scout Green, St. Sophia’s girl.”

“Ditto,” Scout said.

“I figured I’d wait so we could walk back together. But you weren’t at the school.” His gaze followed the sidewalk to the spot where we’d emerged onto the street. “What’s over that way?”

“Just a shortcut,” Jason said, squeezing my hand as if to keep me quiet. I guess he wanted to keep the thorn garden to himself.

Creed looked doubtful, but nodded anyway, at least until we lost his attention. M.K. and Veronica crossed the street toward us, steaming paper coffee cups in hand. Figured. They seemed like the expensive-coffee type.

“I guess they made up,” Scout whispered to me.

“Guess so.”

Creed stuck his hands into his pockets. “Afternoon, ladies.”

“Hello, again,” M.K. said, giving him a catty look.

Veronica smiled at Creed, but the smile drooped a little when she realized that he was slumming with us. “You’re far from home,” she said. “Paying a visit to the convent?”

Creed smiled. “Waiting for my brothers-in-arms.”

“Cute,” M.K. said, giving Scout and me a dirty look. “And they’re just tagging along?”

“Sagamore and Scout are friends of Jason’s,” Creed said with a big smile. “And that makes them friends of mine.”

Jason leaned toward me. “Just a warning, friendship with Creed comes with a lengthy disclaimer.”

“Funny man,” Creed said. “Very funny.” He glanced over at Veronica. “How’s the party planning coming?”

“Good,” she said. “It’s going to be pretty sweet when it’s all said and done.”

He nodded dutifully at Veronica, then slid M.K. an inviting glance that deflated Veronica’s smile—but strengthened the resolve in her expression.

“Um, so how’s the boat?” Veronica asked.

“My father’s? Still pretty good, I imagine.”

The church bells began to chime, signaling the end of lunch.

“We should go,” Jason said, untangling our fingers. “We’ll see you later.”

“Later,” I said with a smile.

“Oh, crap,” Scout exclaimed. “I forgot to grab my chemistry book.” She gave me an apologetic look. “I’m gonna run to my locker. I’ll see you in class.”

I’d barely nodded when she took off running down the sidewalk and toward the front door.

“I’ll catch you ladies later,” Creed said, taking a position next to Jason and Michael. They started down the street, their escape leaving me, M.K., and Veronica standing awkwardly on the sidewalk.

“Give us a minute, M.K.,” Veronica said.

M.K. arched a questioning eyebrow.

“I’ll meet you inside.”

Apparently knowing when an order had been given, M.K. shrugged and started for the door.

When she was gone, Veronica looked back at me. “So you and Creed are friends?”

“We know each other. I wouldn’t say friends.” At least not before I heard Jason’s disclaimer. “Why do you ask?”

“I thought you didn’t know him.” Her voice was snotty, like I’d been keeping John Creed locked away from her on purpose.

“I know who he is. That’s it.”

“Mm-hmm.” There was obvious doubt in her voice. Why did she care if I knew him or not? She’d seen me holding hands with Jason. “He calls you ‘Sagamore’ like you two are close.”