"Okay," Pam said. "But you CAN'T repeat this."

Sara pulled an imaginary zipper across her mouth.

"Well..." Pam began. Even when she spoke, Pam liked to draw everything out very slowly. That was usually the reason Sara didn't bother to tell Pam to call her instead of texting her.

"Remember how I told you a new guy started working with me at the grill? The one who goes to The Martin School." She paused to pull out another candy bar. She took a bite and chewed on it thoughtfully.

Sara waited very impatiently for Pam to continue.

"He's in our grade," Pam said, popping a chocolate chip from her candy bar into her mouth. "He's like way, way, WAY cute. And he's sooooo nice." She finished off her candy bar. Finally.

"What's his name?" Sara interrupted. She was trying to help Pam along. She needed the details.

"Patrick," Pam said. Her cheeks turned hot pink.

Sara made a heart shape with her hands. She peeked at Pam through the heart-shaped hole. "Ooh, Patrick. That's a sexy name," Sara giggled.

Pam rolled her eyes, swatting Sara's knee with her hand. "Oh Em Gee. He has these forest green eyes. And blonde hair. And there's this one tooth in front of his mouth that is sort of crooked." Pam put her finger over one of her teeth to indicate the tooth. "His parents couldn't afford braces to fix it. But I think the crooked tooth is adorable."

She sighed and let herself slide down the bench.

Sara laughed. She leaned down to wrap her arm around Pam's shoulders. "I'm so glad you're happy," she told her.

Pam grinned up at Sara. "He already asked me out," she said, blushing again.

"Really?" Sara said. She felt the sharp pang of envy hit her full blast.

Pam crumpled up the candy bar wrappers and stuffed them into her backpack. She took out her baseball hat and stuck it back onto her head.

"So when and where's he taking you out?" Sara asked, curiously.

Pam shrugged. "He mentioned it so briefly, I can't really remember. He was so nervous asking me. It was so sweet." She twiddled her thumbs together in her lap. "I think he mumbled something about the new movie coming out. Think it was called X-Men and had something in it about Mars."

Sara gasped. Then she laughed. "Oh, right. I ran into a guy at the party last night whose cousin is in that film." She decided to leave out the part about actually meeting the two stars of the film. She didn't want to brag.

Pam looped her arm around Sara's again. She gave it a squeeze. "But here's the best part. I wanted to save it for last." She bit her lip, smiling. "While Patrick and I were clearing away the dishes and putting them into the dishwasher, he leaned over...and kissed me!"

Pam went silent. Her dreamy-eyed expression showed she was miles away.

"Hmm..." Sara murmured. She spotted the four huskies and Trash. The dogs were now cornering most of the other dogs in the park. They were like some beautiful, fluffy dog gang.

"So, is it love at first sight?" she asked Pam.

Her friend seemed to come back to Earth. "I...I think so. I mean, when he looked at me, and kissed me. For a moment, I could see us...married."

Sara burst out laughing, clapping her hands. "Girl, I envy you." She rubbed Pam's shoulder. "Please, please let whatever you have be contagious!"

Pam giggled. She hugged her arms around her chest. "Oh, Sara. I hope you can feel this happy, too. I know Erin does already. Did she tell you what happened with her last night?"

Sara shook her head. "I left my purse in Erin's car...including my phone."

"Ah," Pam said. "Well, she'll probably want me to tell you now anyway." Pam leaned closer to Sara. Not that anyone would be able to hear them. But knowing Pam, she probably assumed any bees or trees or flowers nearby would want to eavesdrop.

"Okay, get ready for this," Pam said. She held her breath. Then she let it out slowly.

"Erin and Trevor hooked up."

Sara covered her mouth with her hands. "Get OUT of here!"

Pam was nearly choking on laughter. "I couldn't believe it when she told me. But then again, we both know Erin's no virgin."

Sara nodded. Erin had lost her virginity in eighth grade. She'd always been a bit more daring and adventurous than Pam and Sara. But that's what made the friends love one another so much more.

Pam continued. "Erin and Trevor hung out all day today at his house--"

"--probably to continue their naughty--" Sara began, but Pam poked her.

"OMG stop, I can't stand it," Pam said, cracking up. "So yeah, Trevor and Erin are officially a couple." She beamed. "And Patrick and I are officially going on our first date. And that means..." she turned her pretty eyes to Sara.

"--that means you're our only hope to steal the gorgeous Bentley Prince away from Ella."