The table goes quiet for a moment.
“Family business stuff.” Evan waves a hand dismissively. “It’s pretty boring.”
I shrug. “Sounds complicated.”
“It is.” Silas’s eyes meet mine across the table, and something in the way he looks at me makes my internal temperature spike.
Evan props his elbows on the table, watching the exchange. “Don’t worry about it, Tania. We’ll figure it out.”
“Or we won’t,” Callum interjects. “Either way, we’re not talking business this weekend.”
Silas raises his glass. “Agreed.”
The conversation changes. More wine. More stories. The temperature drops, and I wrap my arms around myself.
Evan notices immediately. He stands without a word, disappears inside, and comes back with a blanket and drapes it over my shoulders.
“Thanks.”
“Can’t have you freezing on the first night.” His hand lingers on my shoulder for half a second longer than necessary. Then he’s back in his seat like nothing happened.
But Silas saw it, and he narrows his eyes at Evan.
An hour later, Ben yawns. “I’m tired, guys. I’m going to bed.”
Callum’s mouth curves. “Lightweight.”
Ben playfully smacks Callum on the shoulder. “Responsible.”
Ben heads inside, and Evan follows with the plates. Callum grabs the last of the bread and disappears, too.
Silas stands and collects the glasses. “You good?”
“Yeah.”
He nods and then pauses at the door. “Good to see you again, Tania.”
Then he’s gone.
I sit there another minute, wrapped in a blanket, staring at the dark water, then I head inside, too.
Upstairs, my room faces the lake. The bed is enormous, and my best friend texts the moment I sit down.
Renata:How’s the trip?
I stare at the screen.
Me:Fine. Weird but fine.
Renata:Good weird or bad weird?
Me:I don’t know yet.
Renata:Where are you again?
Me:Lake house with Ben and the Lockes.
Renata:Wait. The LOCKES? Ben’s triplet friends? The ones we had massive crushes on?
