The guy selling the camper waits outside when I pull up. He’s a middle-aged man with a protruding beer belly that strains against his winter coat. Eve told me he’s a regular at the bar and gave her a good deal below his asking price.
She hops out of the Bronco. “Hey, Big Al!”
“Hey, Miss Eve. Thanks again for taking this old thing off my hands.” He pats the small camper as I come up to her side. Glancing between us, he winks at her. “Let’s get this hitched up to your boyfriend’s car.”
“Oh, he’s not—we’re not—” She flails, darting an unreadable look my way.
I wrap an arm around her shoulders and murmur in her ear teasingly. “Come on,sweetheart.”
“Cole,” she hisses.
I chuckle, moving away when she swats at me, then turn back to blow her a kiss. Her mouth pops open and she gives me a look that says she’s going to get me back for rolling with this.
I swipe a hand over my jaw to contain my amusement. “Need me to swing around?”
“Yeah, back up to here,” Big Al says.
It doesn’t take much time to get the camper attached. I switch places with Eve and have her drive the Bronco slowlywhile I help Big Al ease the camper off the curb. She hugs him when it’s done.
I hang back to shake his hand while she gets in the car. “Thanks.”
“Treat her good,” he says.
My face goes slack. “What?”
He thumps his fist against the camper. “This old girl. She was good to me and my wife before she passed. We liked to go out to the Catskills.”
“We will,” I say.
It’s not until I’m walking away that I realize I saidwe. I rub my forehead, mouth twisting wryly.
Eve has her elbow resting against the window, chin propped in her hand when I climb in the driver’s seat. There’s a faraway look on her face. My gaze softens when she turns to me.
“Thank you for coming with me and towing the camper,” she says.
I stretch out to rest a hand on the back of her seat, pulling out on the main road to take her home.
“It was no trouble at all.”
NINE
EVE
Clocktower Brew Houseis packed when I go in for a caffeine fix. Students are in a mad rush to leave town before it snows, otherwise they’ll be trapped here for a few extra days into their winter break.
I get in line, noticing the outgoing waitress that started working at The Landmark recently. Typically when we hire freshmen they have a quick turnover, but I get the feeling she’ll outlast the others and be at the bar with me for a while.
“Reagan, hey.” I wave when she turns.
Her strawberry blonde hair is hastily braided with some pieces falling loose. She’s wearing a teal crewneck with Heston University across her ample chest in block letters. Even dressed down, she radiates confidence in herself.
“Eve! Hi.” She joins me in line. “I swear, if they run out of coffee before we get up there, I’ll riot. I’m in desperate need if I’m going to handle my drive.”
“It’s the crazy rush. I remember it after finals. Are you heading home for break?”
“Yup. I’m coming back right after New Year’s, though. Mr. B said he’d give me a couple shifts if I promised to take the stage.”Her nose crinkles with her laugh. “I’m excited for the chance to sing for an audience, even if it’s only The Landmark crowd.”
“You’ll rock it. You’re an amazing singer.” I bump my shoulder with hers and smile. “And I bet we score better tips.”
