“I do like him,” Emily says slowly. Then she looks up at me, and I’m struck by two things: First, how tall she’s grown without my realizing, her head now almost level with my nose. And second, that fierce, protective look in her eyes, like our positions have been switched and she’s the older sibling who’d tear down the world for me. “But if he was mean to you, I’ll stop liking him immediately. I won’t even invite him to my next birthday party.” I choke out a small laugh, but the sound’s tinged by sadness. “No, no. It’s not that. If anything …” If anything, I’m the one who wronged him. “Well,
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