Page 20 of It Started at the Lake

“And what does Eric look like?”

Evie has a type. She doesn’t admit to it, but she always goes for the tall, muscular, blond guys. Bonus points if he has green eyes. Not hazel like hers, but sea green.

She sits up, staring at me as I continue practicing yoga. “He’s on the rowing team at Harvard. His arms”—she moans in delight—“chiseled to perfection.” Her fingertips come to her mouth and she gives them a chef's kiss.

“Is he blond?”

She scratches her neck. “You know, it was dark in the bar and I didn’t get a good look.”

Liar. “Dirty blond then. Your favorite.”

She throws a pillow at me. “Stop. I don’t have a preference.”

At this rate, her nose will grow a foot long. “You do, but I’ll stop pestering you about it.”

“Thank you. How was your night?” She moves to the window seat, sitting with her legs crossed.

“Weird. Embarrassing. Peaceful. Uncertain.”

Evie shoots me a dry look. “That makes things very clear.”

“You asked how it went. That’s how I felt as the night progressed.”

She grabs another pillow and throws it at me.

How many pillows are in this room? I swat it away.

“Details, please.” She wiggles her fingers in a “give me” motion.

I lie flat on my back, staring at the ceiling. “It was a little tense when I went to eat dinner. Bennett was in the kitchen and he made it clear he didn’t want me there, yet he all but forced me to stay and eat anyway. When I tried asking him questions about himself, he gave short answers, until I sat next to him. Then he started asking me questions. Of course, because I can’t be normal around guys, I choked on my taco, spraying it everywhere. When I tried to leave because I’d embarrassed myself, he offered to show me a rock he goes to every night.”

The peaceful feeling from last night comes back, loosening my muscles. “We talked a little more. He brought me back to my room where I was left feeling very uncertain of my place here this summer before going to bed. Then we went kayaking earlier this morning while you slept in. There. Are you satisfied now?” I sit up, looking at Evie, whose eyes are wide.

“He showed you his special spot in the backyard?”

My jaw drops. “You’re making it sound like innuendo!”

Evie laughs, falling back against the window. “I so did not mean it that way. But your face right now?” She points at me. “Priceless.”

“Ha ha,” I deadpan, picking up one of the pillows she tossed my way and throwing it at her.

She catches it. “Seriously though, he doesn’t let any of us use it if he is. Bennett needs time to himself quite often. He’s always been that way.”

“He said I could use it whenever I wanted ‘to get some peace and quiet from the family.’”

“Huh.” She cocks her head to the side, brows pulling together. Whatever she’s processing passes quickly. “Well, sadly for you, your space for the day is done. After lunch, we’re playing pickleball.”

“You and me?”

“Against the boys. They won’t know what hit ‘em when we get on that court.”

I pinch my lips together, stopping my smile from taking over my face. Evie and I enjoy playing pickleball, but I wouldn’t say we’re good enough to scare anyone off the court. “Keep up your enthusiasm.” We’re going to need it along with all the help we can get. We’re about to get slaughtered.

“Here.” Evie hands me a paddle. “We’re playing against Cam and Henry first.”

She closes the cabinet in the garage and leads me to the pickleball court in the backyard. The sun is bright, warming my bare shoulders, unlike this morning. I adjust my sunglasses and ponytail, mentally hyping myself up for playing against Evie’s family. Basing their ability off physical attributes, they’ll dominate us within five minutes. Their long legs and arms will mean less running for them and more for Evie and me.

Evie swings her paddle underhand a few times. “Remember, the ball has to bounce once on your side before you can hit it on a serve.”

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