Soon enough, we were all settled on one of the fold-out tables, cider cups in hand. Aiden looked like he’d rather be anywhere else, but I was personally ecstatic to dig up some personal dirt on him. Mrs. Lowell seemed like the kind of person who filled the house with embarrassingly cute baby photos; it was a shame we were stuck outside.

“So, Aria,” Mrs. Lowell began, “how’re you liking our lil’ old town? I can’t imagine it’s as grand as the city, but we do our best here.” ...