I shook my head, letting out a bitter laugh. “We are so not talking about Jay.”
“Oh, come on, Hope. Sue me. I just watched the man emerge from the lake like some shirtless character in a romance novella, and you live in his house. The tea has got to be hot.”
“Emily.”
She blinked at me. “Yes?”
“Stop.”
Emily smiled like someone who had no intention of stopping. “Okay, I’ll stop, for now. You’re going on a date with Tyler. Wonderful. Love that for you.”
I rolled my eyes at my friend, but I couldn’t help but smile a little.
“I missed you.”
“I missed you, too,” Emily said. She grabbed my hand and started tugging me out of the store to our next destination. “Now, if you won’t give me the tea, then I’ll settle for lunch. Can we grab some food? I’m starving.”
On the way home, Emily helped me get my car that was still at the office. Then we pulled back onto Jay’s long driveway around nine. The sun was going down over the lake, and the glassy surface was a mix of orange and red that was utterly breathtaking.
After the day’s events, I was thoroughly spent. We’d wandered through all the shops, eaten tons of food, and chatted for hours. I was in great need of some more Tylenol and a good night’s rest, and I knew the moment my head hit the pillow, I was going to pass out.
Emily looked up at the sky that was just starting toshow the faint twinkling of stars. “It’s pretty out here in the evening,” she murmured, taking in the silhouette of the mansion.
I nodded, arms wrapped around myself. “Yeah. It is.”
Emily nudged me gently. “Can I ask something?”
I hesitated, then nodded.
“You haven’t mentioned your parents all day. Have you talked to either of them?”
I exhaled, my breath shaky. “Yeah. My mom sent a few texts. And my dad, he called me a while ago.”
Emily’s expression softened immediately. “Was it bad?”
I sighed. “It wasn’t good. He brought up dental school and how he still thinks I’m wasting my potential. It was the same conversation we used to have. And I realized nothing has changed.”
Emily winced. “I’m so sorry, Hope. I was really hoping things would get better between you two.”
“It’s okay,” I said quietly. “If staying here and choosing things for myself means I lose out on mending things with my dad, well—” I trailed off, hating the position I’d been put in.
Emily reached over and squeezed my hand. “This isn’t on you.”
I swallowed hard, blinking back a sudden stinging in the corners of my eyes. “I know. And I’m done letting someone else tell me what my life should look like.”
“Good.” Emily smiled proudly at me. “Because I can tell you’re really building something amazing here.”
My throat tightened. “Thanks, Em.”
Emily slung her tote bag over her shoulder, glancing toward her van. “Alright, I'd better go. I’m heading to Banff, so I've got to get on the road.”
“Canada?” I laughed. “I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“I’ll call you soon,” she said, pulling me into one last hug. “Call me if you need me to come rescue you.”
I hugged her back tightly. “Thanks, Em.”
“Everything’s gonna work out, Hope. I know it.” Emily stepped back, giving me one last smile before getting into the driver's seat.
