My gaze shifts to the photos still in my lap. The top one being me sitting on that rusted swing in a different outfit like it was a different day, laughing like I belonged here.
Because now, I believe I did.
I’m finally walking out of the house for the day when my phone buzzes in the back pocket of my overalls. Pulling it out, I find a string of texts from the girls.
Lily
Dinner and drinks tonight? My place?
Blair
I’m in! Griffin is headed to Seven Stools tonight to meet with an old friend.
Lily
Who?
Blair
I don’t know. He said he went to high school with him, and he’s back in town.
Poppy
I would love to, but I already made dinner and promised Sage a movie night.
Lily
Okay, Sage wins. Again.
Lily
Blair, can you find out who for me?
Blair
I’ll get right on it.
Me
Dinner and drinks sound so good after this day.
Lily
Yay!! See you in an hour.
Lily
And Blair, don’t show up without the information.
I should be exhausted. I mean, physically I am. My body aches in places I didn’t know it could, and I know my hair smells like dust from the collapse. But my mind refuses to slow down. Today was just too much. From the ceiling falling on top of me, to Tucker flying off the ladder without thinking to make sure I was okay. The way his voice changed when he said my name. To the phone call with my dad. The intensity of it all is making me feel so much so fast.
Locking up the house, I don’t even bother going home. Once I get to Lily’s place, I check the mirror in my car before going in. Okay, bad idea. Maybe I should have at least taken a quick shower. But there’s no time to second-guess because Lily is already on her porch, bouncing with excitement the way she always is.
It’s the first time I’ve been at her place, and it’s cute. It’s on an adorable dead-end street named Waterlily Circle. One side of the street is a few houses, spread far apart, and the other side of theroad offers an insane view of Bluestone Lake. I almost have to do a double take at how beautiful it is. It’s almost like a secret oasis of the lake compared to the view on the drive into town.
I can definitely see why she chose to live here.
“I’m so glad you’re here!” She beams when I cross the pathway leading to her front steps. “I don’t cook often, but you’re in for a treat tonight.”
