Page 69 of It Started at the Lake

“Uhh. Is everything okay?” I ask.

“You said for the rest of my life.”

Ah, snap. Really? I study his expression, determining if he’s shocked, confused, or concerned. I’ve done my absolute best today to act flirty, but not reveal any truths about how I really feel about Bennett like I did at the swimming pool. But every night before I fall asleep, I picture it. Our future.

Traveling with our two kids. Living in Amherst. Sundays with Bennett’s whole family watching football. Lake Lloyd every summer. There’s an ache in my chest that wants it, wants Bennett so badly, I lose myself in the dream. Then when I wake up, I push it down and move on with my day like this future doesn’t excite me as much as it does.

“I’m sorry, Bennett.” I wince. “I meant—”

“This is another way to freak a guy out, Mils. It’s too soon to talk about forever, especially with me. You know this is still fake, right?”

I squeeze my eyes shut, unable to look at Bennett right now, and pray the emotions stinging my nose don’t manifest as a bucketful of tears down my cheeks. “Yes, I’m aware. I meant it as a friend. Look, I’m wiped. After showering, I’m going to lie down for a bit. I’ll text you later.”

Bennett catches my arm. “We’re good, right?”

Nowhere close. “For sure.”

CHAPTER 32

Bennett

“What are you two doing in here?” I ask Eric and Evie, who are sitting in the middle row of recliners in our home theater. Evie’s halfway on Eric’s lap. How is he watching anything with Evie blocking his view?

Hello, dude, they’re making out. Get with it.

Evie points to the screen. “Watching Top Gun,” she says, like the answer is quite obvious. “What are you doing down here?”

“Millie and I were going to watch a show. But not if we’re interrupting something.”

“You’re welcome to join us,” Eric says. “There are plenty of seats.”

Top Gun is a great movie. Looking at Evie, I raise my brows, silently asking her thoughts. Is she okay if we interrupt her kissing time?

Her nose flares and she minutely shakes her head.

Message received loud and clear. “That’s nice of you to offer, man, but I don’t want to barge in. Have fun, guys.” I wave, then shut the door behind me.

Great. There goes that plan. Everyone else is busy this afternoon, and for the sake of our pretense, Millie and I should spend time together as well. Though it certainly didn’t seem like she wanted anything to do with me after boating this morning when I reminded her of our status. Maybe this fake dating thing is harder for her than it is for me?

We barely told everyone we were together though. She can’t back out on me now. Not before the summer ends. I need to find out what’s actually going on with her.

I stay in the hallway, massaging my temples. Footsteps thud down the stairs. Taking a deep breath, I brace myself for the conversation ahead.

“Hey,” Mils says, coming to stand in front of me. “Ready to go in?” She points to the door beside me.

I shake my head. “Change of plans.” Pushing off the wall, I lead Millie up the stairs. “Evie and Eric are already watching a movie.”

“You didn’t want to join them?”

“No, I didn’t.”

Millie laughs. “Evie’s grateful for that, I’m sure. What are we doing instead?”

Her laughter eases my worries from this morning. We get to the main floor, and I lead Millie out the side entrance to the garage where my SUV is. “I want to show you something.”

“Will we be back in time for tonight?”

“You have my word.”

---