Page 84 of It Started at the Lake

“Holy freakin’ smokes.” She hugs me briefly, then pushes me away. She’s manhandling me a little too much. “But…” Evie shakes her hands out and paces the room. “Okay. This is huge. We have to get this apology right.”

“Duh. That’s what I’ve been saying.”

“What if you set up another picnic with all her favorite foods? That way she sees that you listened and know her for who she is.”

“That could work.” But Millie’s had so little in life. I kind of want to go bigger. Except, Millie will probably get mad if I splurge. She doesn’t like me spending money on her. Ugh, I’m torn. “How upset would she be if we planned a surprise trip to Paris?”

“Save it for your honeymoon.”

Too bad. I had it all figured out. I’d ask Mom to pretend she needed to research something in France, and since Millie is her personal assistant, she’d have to go with her. When they got to the Eiffel Tower, I’d be there with my tweed jacket on and a bowl of grapes in hand.

But if Evie says that won’t work, what else would prove to Millie that she’s my number one? “Steph.”

“What?” Evie asks.

“We need to get her sister Steph here.”

Evie eyes me like I’m an idiot. “They’re not close.”

“Exactly, but Millie wishes they were. Let’s invite Steph up for a week. Millie can spend time with her, and I’ll head home to Amherst and work on my research I’ve been neglecting all summer. When things have calmed down, I’ll come back.”

“Are you sure leaving is a good idea?”

Nothing feels right and nothing will until Millie and I talk. But like Evie and Millie said, I need to give Mils space and time. As hard as it will be, that's what I’ll do. For her. “Yes.”

“Okay. Tell me what you need me to do.”

“Here’s what I’m thinking…”

CHAPTER 39

Camille

I’m lying in bed writing furiously in my journal, pouring out every pain, sorrow, and ache onto the pages. If I get them out of me, I might feel better faster.

“Knock, knock,” Evie says, coming into my bedroom.

I tense up, ready for Evie to explode on me again. She has every right to. I’ve been a terrible friend lately.

Surprisingly, she joins me on my bed.

“How are you feeling this morning? Did you sleep okay?”

Ha! She’s funny. “Every limb hurts and my head is pounding. I slept terribly and I’m feeling about the same as last night. But most of all? I’m sorry for lying to you. Can you forgive me?”

“Yes. But no more lies, okay?”

“Promise.” I cross my heart with my fingers so she knows how serious I am.

She gives me a quick hug. “Two options. You tell me what sounds best.” She holds up a finger. “Option one is to eat ice cream and watch sappy movies all day.” She holds up a second finger. “Option two is we get Cam, Emerson, and Henry and go out on the lake.”

Option three, stay in my bed all day. But I know Evie is trying to make me feel better, and after the way I’ve treated her, I need to let her help me. Besides, getting out of the house is the best way to avoid Bennett too, and I could do without a five-pound weight gain from all the ice cream I’d have to eat in order to wash the pain away.

“Let’s hit up the lake.” But no tubing. It will remind me too much of doing it with Bennett.

She pats my leg. “You get ready and meet me in the kitchen. I’ll gather the boys. In the meantime, you should read this.” She pulls out a white envelope from her back pocket and hands it to me.

My name is written in all capital letters. “What is this?”

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