Page 37 of One Sweet Day is Never Enough

“Yeah, isn’t it? It feels like you’re totally out in the wilderness. He’s got half an acre here. No neighbors close enough to mind a little noise.”

Seth laughed. “I know how that is.”

“Right, you would.” She laughed.

“Hey, so, cheers,” he said, clinking his bottle to hers. “Thanks for inviting me out.”

Gia’s smile was gorgeous and he found himself wanting to grab her hand and pull her close. But he stopped himself. He didn’t want to assume anything. He had no idea how she felt about him, and right now, he was just happy to be making some new friends in the area.Don’t go screwing things up already.He looked away from her and glanced around the yard.

“Let’s stash the rest of these on some ice,” she said, turning.

“Sure.” He followed her around the side of the porch where they found a cooler next to a stack of wood for the fire.

“Come on, I’ll introduce you.” Gia approached the firepit, found an empty bench and sat down. Seth followed her. “Hey guys, this is Seth.”

Seth nodded and said hello then took a seat next to Gia.

“Hi, Seth,” Kira said. “Great to see you again. Glad you could make it.”

He grinned. “Thanks.”

Courtney was sitting next to Kira and greeted him warmly. She introduced her boyfriend, Nick, who stood up and shook hands with him, then Gia introduced her friend, Jake, and then Marcy, who sat on the other side of the fire talking with a few people that Gia didn’t know.

“Thanks for having me, man,” he said to Jake.

Gia glanced at him. “Seth’s local again after—how long were you gone?”

“Nine years. I left for college at eighteen and just moved back a few months ago.”

“Wow. Welcome home, man,” said Nick. What brings you back?”

Seth explained about the farm then gave them a quick rundown on his stay on the West Coast and his father’s recent emergency.

“Heavy duty,” said Kira.

Seth explained that his father was doing a lot better lately.

Seth turned to Jake. “Great place you’ve got here. How long have you had it?”

“Thanks.” Jake nodded. “About two years. I love it.”

Jake looked familiar somehow. “You said you grew up around here?” Seth asked.

Jake nodded.

“Whereabouts?”

Jake told him. “Wait—we went to high school together. You graduated a year ahead of me!”

Jake nodded enthusiastically. “I thought I recognized you from somewhere, dude. Welcome back!”

Jake and Seth caught up while Nick and the girls chatted. For a moment, Seth caught Gia smiling at him, and he winked at her. He liked her friends.

He took another sip of his beer. It felt good to be out. It had been too long.

Angela showed up with a few mixed drinks and handed one to Jake and one to Kira. “Blended, no salt.”

“You’re the best bartender around, Ang.” Kira took a sip.

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