Page 57 of It Started at the Lake

She shakes her head. “Oh no. You can close the toilet door, but I’m not leaving. Talk while you pee.”

Only my best friend can demand that of me and I’ll comply. “Fine. But if I fart, that’s on you.”

She chuckles. “I’ve been warned. Now start talking.”

I close the door behind me and speak louder than the noises exiting my bladder as I sit on the toilet. “Bennett hid us at this alcove on the south side of the property. I think it’s by, or even under, the boulder he uses at night. Anyway, we hid there. But nothing happened except sitting super close together to stay warm.”

We straight-up snuggled, but I’m not confessing that to Evs since it didn’t mean anything to Bennett. “We fell asleep, which is why I’m so tired. I didn’t get to bed until five this morning.”

I finish my business, open the door, and go to the sink to wash my hands. Evie is leaning against the shower door, her arms folded across her chest, smiling like a lunatic.

“What?” I ask her reflection in the white framed mirror hanging above the vanity.

“How’d this date come about?”

Shoot. Bennett and I haven’t discussed exactly when we were disclosing our fake relationship. I hope he’s okay with me telling Evs. Turning, I face her, leaning against the sink. “Bennett asked me and I said yes,” I explain to her like I would a two-year-old.

“Nuh-uh. Nice try.” She wags her pointer finger. “I saw you two hugging early last week and now you’re going on a date? I want to know what you’ve been doing with Bennett while I’ve been off with Eric. And why you’re making an exception for him? Is this what you truly want?”

“I haven’t been doing anything except talking to him.”

“And after all this talking, you’ve decided you like him?”

I do, but it doesn’t mean anything. Not like Evie thinks. “I like him enough to go on a picnic with him.”

She stabs her finger in my direction. “You two would be perfect for each other. He’s who you’ve been looking for. Bennett has a career, he’s been in a long-term, committed relationship before, and he’s not into using women for a quick hook up. He’s settled, which is what you want. Right?”

Crossing the bathroom, I snag a towel from the linen closet. “On paper, you’re right.” Too bad Bennett doesn’t feel the same way. Why did I say yes to being his fake girlfriend? I’m such an idiot.

Evie takes the towel out of my hand, hanging it on the shower hook, then places her palms in mine. “What’s your hesitation?”

My stomach swirls like a tropical storm is brewing. I can’t tell her this is a fake relationship. But if it were real, there is another concern I’m willing to tell Evs about. I can’t hold her gaze as I say it though. “Jen.”

Evie gathers me into her arms, squeezing me tight. “I’m sorry. I wish I knew what to do or say to fix it. But don’t let a ghost stand in your way. She’s not coming back, Mils.”

She might not be here physically, but that doesn’t mean Bennett isn’t hung up on her mentally and emotionally, and because of it, he will never want me. “I know.”

“Go and enjoy your picnic and take it one day at a time, okay?”

“As usual, you’re right. Seizing the moment is my new mantra.” I’ll enjoy being around Bennett while it lasts. In the end, if he can help me figure out what I’m doing wrong, my next real relationship shouldn’t be too far away. Shooing her out of the bathroom, I say, “I’m hopping in the shower. Skedaddle.”

“I want to hear all about it later today. You’ll come find me?”

“Promise.”

She gives me a quick hug. “You deserve to be happy, Mils.”

“Thanks.”

Too bad this arrangement of mine with Ben will only lead to heartbreak.

CHAPTER 27

Bennett

I’m standing in front of the kitchen sink washing grapes in preparation for my picnic with Millie, when Evie bounces into the room, smiling like Zac Effron is coming to see her. Why is she in such a good mood?

“Morning,” I say, picking fruit off the vine.

---