Macey turned back to me. “We haven’t even talked about you being his neighbor.”
“Why would we need to talk about that? And how did you even know?” I asked. Just then, the server returned with more food. I quickly shoved a mozzarella stick into my mouth and took a sip of my Coke, trying to hide the heat creeping up my neck.
“Jay mentioned it when he told us you were coming,” Macey said dismissively. “And obviously, I need details. I wouldkillto be his neighbor. Have you seen him shirtless? Does he bathe nude in the lake?” She grabbed my sleeve dramatically.
“Who swims nude in a lake?” Tyler shuddered.
“I haven’t seen him skinny-dipping,” I said quickly, my cheeks burning again. “I’ve seen him running with his dog, but that’s it. We’re not really acquainted. We met a few times, and then he offered me the job.”
“Boring,” Macey groaned, slumping back and draining her drink.
“Yeah, boring,” Tyler agreed, winking at me.
“Well, enough about Jay,” Macey said. “We don’t want to be like the rest of the town.”
“To not being like the rest of the town,” Tyler toasted, raising his glass.
We clinked glasses, and I found myself smiling as I took another sip of my Coke.
CHAPTER 18
It was nearly midnight when I got back to my cabin. I hadn’t drunk any alcohol, but I still stumbled out of my car as I walked up the gravel drive. I was so tired I felt like I was going to pass out. I really needed to build up my social tolerance. Right now, I was level grandma.
But I was happy to be tired. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had friends to go to the bar with. They’d asked for my number, and now we were all on a group text thread. Macey had named itFlossy Posse. I hated to admit it, but I liked that sort of cheesy stuff.
MACEY: Next week, you two! Mark your calendars!
HOPE: Can’t wait.
MACEY: Also, I just got this picture. What do you think? Should I swipe up?
Macey sent a picture from her dating app. It was a shirtless guy in a cowboy hat, leaning on a pickup truck.
TYLER: Macey, he’s wearing a literal cowboy hat. Absolutely not.
HOPE: It wouldn’t hurt to say howdy.
MACEY: I think I can lasso him, you feel me?
TYLER: No. Just no. I’m still waiting to hear back from my cousin. Please do not do any swiping before then.
HOPE: Swiper, no swiping.
I giggled as I shuffled up the gravel drive. Then I heard footsteps in the bushes to my right and froze.
“Who’s there?”
I whipped around, expecting to face the bear that had nearly broken down my door the other day, but the darkness and my imagination had definitely gotten the best of me.
Not the bear. Just the dentist.
He was walking Luna along the trail next to my cabin, a flashlight in hand and dressed in black sweats.
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” Jay said, holding his hands up in mock surrender.
I breathed a sigh of relief. All my fatigue was obliterated. I was now positively wired from the shot of adrenaline that had just gone through my body like lightning.
“You scared the crap out of me,” I said, glaring at him.
