Page 30 of It Started at the Lake

I slide my hand up and down my throat. “This ice cream is way sweeter than I remember.” I cough a few times, really selling my sudden distaste for my favorite summer treat. “I don’t think I can finish this.”

“Can I try a bite?” Evie asks. She holds up her own bowl. “You can try some of mine. Mils, do you want some, too?”

Millie winces as she chews the last of her sweet treat. “I don’t have anything to exchange a bite with.”

Evie sighs. “Did I request a bite in return? No.” She holds the spoon out to Millie, who frowns at Evie, but takes a small bite of her Salty Beach ice cream.

Millie closes her eyes and hums. “Mmm. That was good. Thanks, Evs.”

I use my spoon and snatch a helping. The salted caramel ice cream is good, but not as good as mine. “Try mine.” I hold it up to both women, passing my spoon to Millie.

Her brows rise, wrinkling her normally smooth forehead. “You’re okay sharing a spoon with me?”

With anyone else, no. With her? Yes. Until she said that. “Are you sick?”

“I don’t think so…”

“Then take it.”

Evie swallows the bite she took. Her eyes go wide. “Why didn’t you tell me that was like eating heaven?”

I hold up a hand. “Don’t get mad at me. You didn’t ask. And besides, haven’t you tried this kind before? It’s been on the menu for years.”

Millie accepts my spoon and wraps her hand around my cup, our fingers overlapping, as she steadies the bowl to scoop out a portion.

Tingles shoot up my fingers like a hot poker is tapping my nerves, testing their capability to function properly. I attest, they work as intended.

My fingers squeeze the styrofoam cup. It’s nothing. I’m missing Jen. This has nothing to do with Camille.

“We have to come back for more of that,” Millie says as her face brightens with delight.

She hands me my spoon back. I take another bite, but I truly can’t handle any more. Not with the confusing things happening in my body and mind.

I pass the entire thing off to Millie. “Please eat it. I’ll just throw it away and ice cream that good shouldn’t go to waste.”

Her eyes narrow as she studies my face. I patiently wait, keeping my face neutral. “You’re positive you don’t want any more and this isn’t some ploy to give me ice cream?”

Noooo. “I’m sure.”

She continues to eye me before conceding and taking the bowl of ice cream from me. I have to look away when she slowly pulls the spoon out of her mouth and a thin layer of chocolate ice cream coats her lips.

A desire to lick the sweet treat from her mouth kicks me in the gut.

“I’ll pull the car around,” I choke out, ready to run away from this woman who is confusing me to no end.

CHAPTER 13

Camille

“I think I’ll stay here,” I tell Evie as she puts lip gloss on in front of the vanity mirror in her bathroom. “I’m tired after everything we’ve done today.” I’d love nothing more than to go back to Bennett’s rock and relax without any pressure besides soaking in the peaceful beauty.

Evie’s dressed in leather skinny jeans, a sparkly silver tank top, and black strappy sandals. I’m still in my denim shorts and t-shirt.

Evie points her lip gloss wand at me. “You and Cam are paying for drinks. You have to go.”

That was a stupid bet I made. How expensive will one round of drinks be for people who aren’t used to pinching pennies? I have my credit card with me, but I try not to use it. Whenever I do, this antsy feeling makes it so I can’t breathe properly until I’ve paid in full. I don’t like owing anyone anything, not even a bank. I can take care of myself.

My checking account doesn’t have a lot in it and with my car insurance due next month, I can’t afford to waste a single cent. My stomach turns. I hold a hand to my belly. I’m not sure how I’ll swing these drinks, but a bet is a bet. “Fine. I’ll go.” But I won’t enjoy it. I’m too wound up and worried. Which sucks because I’m already freaking out about the night out. Will I be able to stay away from the allure of flirting? Can I keep my ban going strong?

---