Page 61 of The Lake House

He looks up from his stack of supplies that he’s currently putting away and waves a dismissive hand. “No, you go on and get home. I’m going to finish up here and then I’ll lock up. Enjoy the evening and your day off tomorrow.”

I tilt my head to the right. I hate leaving, knowing that he’s still got so much to do. “You sure? I don’t mind staying and helping.”

He straightens and puts a hand out. “If you don’t get on out of here and enjoy the sunlight while it’s still up, I will not let you come back to work ever again, young lady. Now git!”

I laugh. “Okay, okay. Have a nice night.”

I head back to the front of the store, grab my purse from the drawer to the right of the register, and head on out.

I’m thankful it’s not one of those famous sweltering summer nights. The breeze in the air feels so good against my face as I make my way home. There’s people around, washing their cars in their driveways, kids playing in the street without worrying about getting hit by a car because that’s just the kind of neighborhood Silver Mist is. People walking their dogs, hanging out on their front porches, just shooting the breeze. I know now more than ever I’m meant to be here. It’s the only place I belong.

I suck in a deep breath as I turn onto the next block. I can’t wait to get home and crack a nice cold can of iced tea open while I sit on my porch, looking out onto the lake.

That’s something I look forward to every night when I get home. Not to mention, every time I see the lake now, it reminds me of the evening I spent with Declan and the way I felt in his arms on the boat. The way his kiss lingered on my lips way after we had already pulled away. Mmmm, his lips. I love the way he kisses. Since that night, we’ve been kissing every chance we get and I absolutely love it.

I still can’t believe he told me he’s falling for me. It’s not a lie that I’ve been falling for him, too. I know neither one of us is there yet, but dammit if we’re close. I know, at least for me, I’m so damn close to falling head over heels in love with him.

But I’m cautious. I know in love you can’t predict what will happen, and sometimes things just don’t work out the way you want them to, but I really don’t think this is one of those times. I honestly feel like what I have with Declan can blossom into more. So much more. For the first time in a very long time, I’m so excited about what could be and what the future has in store for me.

When I finally reach my house, I decide to head straight for the kitchen, open the fridge, and grab a can of iced tea. I can’t wait to take the first sip and let the cool liquid hit the back of my throat.

There’s absolutely nothing like locally brewed tea. There’s a small soda shop next to Abner’s that sells all their own products, and this iced tea is one of the best I have ever tasted. I grew up on this, and every sip just brings back a ton of memories of past summers spent hanging out by the lake, drinking a can.

As I go to switch off the light, I stop dead in my tracks. “Hmmm, that’s funny.” I don’t remember turning them on. When I walked inside, I didn’t flip on the lights… they were already on. Had I forgotten to turn them off this morning when I left for work?

No, I don’t think so. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I ever bothered turning on the lights because so much sunlight was already streaming in through the windows.

I must be losing it.

I dismiss the thought and decide I probably just need a break. I walk to the back and reach for the porch door, when before I can grab the knob, I come to a sudden halt and my can of iced tea hits the floor.

“Giulies! You made it home.”

His name for me makes me cringe hard. I swallow thickly as my eyes take in the image of the one person I thought I’d never see again. At least not for a while.

“Todd,” I say, my voice cracking. “What are you doing here?” I can’t believe he’s actually right in front of me right now. I have so many questions and no answers.

He rises from his seat on the back porch and stretches. “Man, I tell you. This place really brings the laziness out of you!” He looks around and then faces me once more, giving me an evil grin.

I suck in a deep breath and decide I need to show him that everything he’s trying to accomplish right now will not get to me. He wants to one up me, wants to let me know he’s in control, but I can’t show fear. I need to let him know that I’m not scared of him and that he is not the boss of me. I reach for the doorknob and exit outside onto the porch.

I fold my arms across my chest. “What are you doing here, Todd?” I ask again. I know he heard me the first time, but he’s just doing this to be an ass and run my patience thin.

He takes a step toward me. “Now, is that any way to greet your husband that you haven’t seen in—”

I squint my eyes. “I’m sorry, but do you not recall us signing divorce papers? You’re not my husband anymore, Todd. You know that.”

He shrugs, looking around again. “Heh… what if I told you I changed my mind and want us to work things out?”

I roll my eyes. “I’m not interested. I’ve moved on. Can you please go?”

Stepping forward, he basically pins me against the door. In a hushed tone, he whispers, “Moved on?” His warm breath hits my cheek and sends a sense of nausea into my stomach.

At least he’s not drunk this time, or so he doesn’t appear to be. I mean, I don’t smell the alcohol on his breath. He just smells like his Old Spice.

I try to pry my way out from in between him and the door, but I can’t really move. Both of his hands are plastered on both sides of me. Maybe I can sneak out from underneath.

“Todd,” I say, inching my way out of his zone, “I think you need to leave.”

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