Page 14 of It Started at the Lake

“My grandparents are good together.”

I smile. “Evie told me some stories.” They sound like the perfect couple. “I’m excited to meet them.” A shooting star races across the sky. “Look!” I point excitedly.

“We see a lot of those here. As kids, we’d sneak out after our parents put us to bed and watch the sky for them.”

Easily, an image of Bennett as a boy, leading the charge to get his brother and cousins outside, blooms in my mind. “Were you a troublemaker?”

He laughs. “Yeah. Although it’s a family trait. We’ve each convinced the others to break the rules one way or another throughout our childhood.”

Just like their stubbornness. “I’ll keep that in mind. Stay away from the family shenanigans.”

He chuckles. “You’ll be fine.”

Since I have to find a job, I’m not too concerned. My time with them will be limited by my need for money. “I don’t think I’ve been somewhere so calming.” It’s almost otherworldly how at ease I am. I’ll be fighting Bennett for this spot every night.

“It’s different from the city, that’s for sure,” Bennett says.

A pang of jealousy hardens my stomach. Evie got to experience this beauty every summer of her life. Mom and Dad didn’t have “extra money” to spend on “frivolous things” like traveling. Though they certainly had money to splurge on the things they wanted, like gambling. Why hadn’t we ever gone camping? Or visited some place not too far from our house that wasn’t too expensive? I can’t believe it’s taken me twenty-three years to see so many stars.

Stop dwelling on the past.

I slightly shake my head, clearing it of negative thoughts. Worrying about getting a job as soon as possible slips away. Nerves over filling the silence with idle chatter flees. I’m in such awe of my surroundings, I understand why this is Bennett’s favorite place.

Turning my head to the left, I take in the pine trees across the large lake. The outline of pointed limbs is the only part visible. Lights illuminate various-sized houses across the lake along the shoreline. Do those people live here year-round? Do they only come for the summer months like Evie’s family?

Bennett interrupts my thoughts. “Evie said you graduated with your bachelor’s a few weeks ago. How does it feel to have your degree?”

“I think it would feel better if I wasn’t getting my master’s. I have two more years of school to go. When I get that degree, I’ll be more excited.”

Bennett nods. “I can understand that. I felt the same way until I held my doctorate in my hand.”

“Do you regret it?”

“Absolutely not. I loved most of my time in college.”

“Is that why you decided to teach at a university? Because you missed campus so much?”

Bennett chuckles. The rich melody resonates with my soul. The tone is deep and full of gusto. I’m not sure how it’s possible to be attracted to a laugh, but I am. No, no, no. Thoughts like that are not allowed, Mils. Right. His laugh is like a train’s wheels screeching to a stop on rusted tracks.

“No.” He shakes his head. “Teaching was always the plan.”

“I bet you’re good at it.”

“Obviously.” He chuckles again and my heart sings.

I give up on chiding myself. Admitting he’s attractive and liking his laugh is fine. As the days go on, I’ll surely find just as many things that annoy me. Everything will balance out.

“Are you excited for a break this summer?” he asks.

A break from school, yes. I still need to work, though, so I’m not completely free of obligations like Evie. “Yeah, I am. Are you ready to be free of grading papers?”

“For sure. It’s the worst part of my job.”

“I bet.”

A yawn forces its way out. I raise a hand to cover my mouth. As much as I really want to stay wrapped in this perfect moment, if I don’t get to sleep, I’ll regret it tomorrow. My body’s adjusted to waking up at six-thirty, no matter what time I fall asleep. “We should head back.”

Bennett stands, stretching his arms overhead. “Feel free to come out here anytime you want.”

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