“Hey, Jake-y,” I called from my position draped on the porch swing. “You coming along as our third wheel?”
Jake shuddered, slamming the old tank’s door shut and making his way toward me. “I would rather climb into a car with Betsy May behind the wheel.”
“Poor Betsy May.”
He took the steps two at a time until he hit the porch, where he leaned against the railing, considering me.
“You ready for this?”
Instantly, my heart pounded. The way he said it seemed so ominous. So final. Like this date was what would decide everything. I couldn’t have that.
“Sure. I love camping.”
“That’s not all you love.”
I shot him a look. “You ready to give away an eighty-thousand-dollar truck?”
For a second, he looked taken aback, but he covered it up quickly. “If you guys walk away with a truck after this, then Logan really is an idiot and doesn’t deserve you.”
A surprised blush touched my cheeks at his sweetness. Jake met my eyes and smiled. He held his hand out to mine, wanting me to give him knuckles. Which I did.
“Full-court press?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Nope. Just Tessa press.”
His eyebrows shot up in delight.
WHY DO I SAY THESE THINGS?
“Come on, I didn’t mean it like that. Just...it’s all on him now.”
He nodded his approval. “I think Logan will be happy with your plan.”
“Shut it.”
With a wistful smile, he said, “My kids are growing up so fast.”
“How are things going with your girlfriend?” I held my hands up in a ceasefire when he glared at me. “That explains why we haven’t seen you around too much lately.”
“Giving you two space was all part of the master plan. My hot girlfriend was a bonus. We’ll see how long I can fool her.”
“She’s lucky to have you, Jake. If this thing with Logan goes south, maybeI’llstart chasing you.”
He slid his hands down his plaid shirt and jean-clad body. “You couldn’t handle all this, trust me.”
I checked my watch. This time, Logan was actually five whole minutes late. I would be sure to rub it in his face. I wore lightweight running pants—the slick kind with pockets—old tennis shoes, and a t-shirt with my sweatshirt tied around my waist. Maybe I should grab my hat? The mountains where the hot pools were was an hour drive north of Eugene. I had hiked them with my family when I was a teenager, and I remembered it snowing in August. Nothing stuck, except the memory and the desire to bring a wide variety of clothing so I didn’t freeze.
“You all packed?”
I kicked at the oversized backpack at my feet. “Yup.”
“It gets cold up there. You got extra clothes? Tent? Sleeping bag?”
“Yes, Dad. I have a sleeping bag, a tent, and I’m wearing a few layers right now.”
He nodded. This exchange seemed weird. Jake was out of sorts today. I wasn’t sure why he was here, unless to give me a pep talk or gauge my reaction to see if he would be giving away a truck in the near future.
“What are your parents selling at the stand today?” Jake asked innocently.
