Page 18 of Pity Parade

“Missy and I are having the same group over tomorrow night, if you’re interested in joining us.” He pulls his phone out of his shorts. “What’s your number and I’ll send you my address.”

“That’s sounds great.” I give him my number before asking, “What can I bring?”

“Just your appetite.” He jokes, “You might actually be hungry again by tomorrow.”

Rubbing my stomach, I tell him, “No guarantees. I ate a lot last night.”

He starts to run in place again before saying, “It’s nice to have you in town, Heath.” Then he takes off.

Jamie mentioned something last night about being in advertising. I wonder how he’s able to keep his business running while living in Elk Lake. But then I realize that as busy as I am, most of my days are spent in phone meetings, not in-person encounters.

Instead of continuing my workout, I turn around and walk back to my place. I imagine what it would be like to live in Elk Lake full-time, but as much as I like it here, I’m afraid Shelby might be right; I might die of boredom.

When I get back to my cottage, I change into swimming trunks and a t-shirt. Then I get into my car and drive down the road to the boat rental place I saw when I came into town. I’ve been hankering to get out onto the water and this way I can decide if I want to keep renting for the summer or if I want to buy a used boat and sell it when I head back to Chicago.

Once I procure a small, four-seater speed boat, I head out into the middle of the lake. When I get there, I turn off the engine and let myself drift. I fancy that I’m not unlike this boat. I’m meant to go fast, but if I turn off for a while, I’ll float in whatever direction the current carries me.

And while I like the feeling of not knowing exactly where I’m going, the thought also terrifies me.

CHAPTER NINE

TRINA

Paige is sitting across the table from me at Rosemary’s Bakery—an establishment I’ve learned was named after Faith’s grandmother. She looks at the slip of paper in her hands and announces, “There are only five names here.”

“What can I say? I don’t have a slew of exes.”

“What about Heath Fox?” she wants to know. “He seemed awfully nice.” I wondered how long it would take for her to bring him up.

Heath really is a unicorn bachelor. He has everything from good looks and charisma, to enough money to support a small country. But if I don’t set Paige straight about him now, I’m liable to spend the whole summer with her trying to get the two of us together. “He’s not available,” I tell her.

She looks confused. “I thought he came to Elk Lake by himself.”

“He may have,” I tell her. “But he made it very clear when I met him in Chicago that he’s not looking for a relationship.”

She tips her head to the side. “Then he’d be perfect for you because according to you, you’re not looking either.”

“Yes, but I told you I’d keep an open mind.” Which is more than Heath is willing to do. Also, I’m not sure I could fake date him, such was the level of my interest when we first met.

“You like him,” she accuses as a small smile takes over her mouth.

“He’s very good looking,” I tell her. “But that doesn’t mean I want to date him.” Liar.

“How well do you know him? Did you just meet once, or did you run into him regularly?”

She’s not going to give up, so I come clean. “I bid on a date with him for the charity we were supporting the night we met.”

Paige puts her coffee cup down on the table. “Spill. Tell me everything.”

“We had a nice time.”

“And?” she prods.

“And when our date was over, he kissed me goodnight.”

“AND?!” She’s practically shouting now.

“And then he told me he wasn’t looking for a relationship.”

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