Page 23 of More Than a Good Friend

“Isn’t it impossible to get a reservation there on such short notice?”

She flashes a smile. “I know people. Also, do not tell anyone who you are going to dinner with. I’ll send a car to get you.”

“I can have Dag take me. You don’t need to send a car.”

Tandy shakes her head. “Let me repeat.Do. Not. Tell. Anyone.” She wags her finger. “EspeciallyDag.”

“Fine. But if you’re trying to make him jealous, it isn’t going to work.”

She pats my hand. “I don’t want to make him jealous. I just want to make him think. So make sure he’s at your cabin when you’re leaving.”

“Tandy—”

She holds up her hand. “Trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

Maybe she does, and maybe she doesn’t. It can’t hurt any worse to give her plan a try.

* * *

Avoiding Dag ends tonight.And since Ava made lemon bars, I packed up a few for dessert. “Where are we going?”

“Someplace where we can talk without being interrupted.” He turns off on a gravel path. “Passed a spot the other day. It’s pretty.”

“It’ll be dark soon.”

He nods. “Yep. I brought a light. Sorry we didn’t find your earring. And we can swing by my cabin and get the other one when we finish talking.”

“It doesn’t matter. Only one doesn’t do me much good.”

He stops in an open field. “River is down that way, so don’t wander too far.”

“Because you don’t want to have to dive into the water to save me?” I bump his shoulder, laughing.

“Save you? You can swim.” He drapes an arm around my shoulders, and for the first time since our party, it feels like old times. “Of course I’d jump in after you, but it’s a bit cold for that.”

“I don’t plan to wander.”

He drops the tailgate. “I tossed a few blankets back here.”

“Thanks.” I set the plate down out of the way so that I don’t trample the lemon bars getting into the bed.

When I raise a knee to climb up, he pats my hip. “I got you.” He turns me to face him, then lifts me onto the tailgate. “I know we were meeting so you could explain more about why you said no, but I have something I need to say.”

I bounce my head only slightly because I’m trying to wrangle my hopes. His tone is serious. Totally unlike Dag.

“I consider you my best friend. When I’ve needed something, you were there. You keep me out of trouble. Drive me home when I’ve had too much to drink. And put up with me when I do stupid stuff.” He drags a hand through his hair. “In school, lots of people hung out with me because they thought I was popular and that being my friend would make them popular. You weren’t like that. You were just nice. You’ve always been nice.” He crosses his arms and stares at the ground.

“Hey, what’s wrong? You were nice to me too. I got bullied like crazy before you befriended me.”

“I’ve taken our friendship for granted. And I’m sorry. I can’t say I understand why you are dating every weekend all of a sudden, like there is a timer counting down and you’re trying to beat the buzzer.” His gaze snaps up. “You aren’t dying, are you?”

“I’m not dying. I mean, eventually, I’ll die. We all will. But that’s not the reason I’ve been dating.”

“Good. Anyway, I want to hear what you have to say, and I’ll be supportive. But I’m sorry for taking you for granted.”

Choked up, I nod.

Why did he have to say all that right now? Now my admission will be a thousand times more embarrassing.

---