Serena claps her hands and spins around in excitement. “Oh my God, yes! I was half asleep that morning at the bakery, but now I totally remember you telling us you were an instructor. That’s perfect. We need to find a time to work out the details, soon, so I can get those dance moms off my back.”
“That’s such a good idea,” Mila chimes in. “You realize, you’re never getting out of here again, right?” She threads her arm through mine, pulling me in close.
I lean my head down on her shoulder, letting the warmth of friendship seep through me. “Sounds good to me.”
Eventually we make our way back to the blankets where the guys are relaxing with a beer, laughing about who won the race they apparently had on the water. Reid passes me a beer and gestures for me to sit down next to him.
“What do you think of the town? Has it changed much since you left?”
His question is harmless, but across from us I see Ethan’s gaze narrow as he takes in the sight of Reid and I sitting side by side. What the heck is that all about? I frown slightly, wondering if there’s some chance that Ethan is jealous of Reid. But I quickly dismiss the notion. There might be something weird brewing between us, but at the end of the day, Ethan and I are nothing more than friends. Besides, I have zero interest in Reid, and aside from that first day when he asked me to dinner, Reid hasn’t shown any interest in me, either.
“Not much, but to be honest, I’m not sure as a child I was really paying close attention to the town. Looking at it now, it’s got some definite Stars Hollow vibes,” I say with a chuckle.
“Does that make Ethan our version of Taylor Doose?” Mila calls out as she drops down beside her brother.
“Who the hell is Taylor Doose?” Ethan retorts, raising an eyebrow at his sister.
Mila rolls her eyes and shoves him with her shoulder. “Only the most underappreciated character onGilmore Girls, that’s who.”
“Tell the truth, Mila, Taylor is a grumpy stick-in-the-mud who’s always sticking his nose in other people’s business,” Serena chimes in.
“Exactly, so…Ethan.” Mila says triumphantly and everyone laughs, including me. Ethan just shakes his head good-naturedly and eventually the conversation turns to something else.
It’s been as close to a perfect day as I can remember. Spending time with friends, relaxing, and not worrying about anything. The sunshine, the water, everything about today has filled my soul in so many ways.
I’m truly starting to believe that I am meant to be here, back in Dogwood Cove. After so many years wandering the country, feeling lost and untethered because of the nomad lifestyle my mother dragged me into, it’s nice to find some roots again.
And later, when the sun starts to set, we move the blankets around and set up a big fire ring. Ethan and Reid carry loads of firewood down from the truck, and soon we’ve got a bonfire going. Sitting around the fire, surrounded by friends, I’m living a scene from a movie. Ethan walks over to where I’m sitting, and before he drops to the blanket beside me, he pulls out a couple of small packets of something and gives them to me.
“Remember these?”
I look down and gasp. “Magic flame? You found magic flame?”
Memories of bonfires when we were kids come flooding back. How entranced we would be when Mila and Ethan’s parents would scatter the packages of various chemicals on the fire, making the flames dance in all different colours.
“I remembered how much you loved them,” he answers gruffly.
I turn to him, my heart brimming with emotion. “Thank you.”
“Told you I’m glad you’re back.”
So am I.
6
Ethan
Our day at the beach was a few days ago, and since then I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Summer. So naturally, when my evening run takes me past the playground at the elementary school and I see her sitting on the swings all alone, my footsteps slow down and turn in her direction without a second thought. It’s dusk and the school grounds are empty, the kids and teachers all gone home. Fleetingly I wonder if Reid was out here talking to her after finishing his day as principal, but I dismiss that thought quickly. Even if I never act on my attraction to Summer, I know he would never make a move.
When I get close to her, I frown. She’s been crying again. The Summer I remember as a child was tough, rarely cried, and was happy almost all the time. I know she has had a hell of a lot to deal with lately, but I don’t like seeing her sad. I want to comfort her, to make her feel better. I want to take away her sadness and replace it with joy.
“What’s up shorty, you need somebody to push you?” I keep my tone light and teasing as I walk up to her, trying not to make it obvious that I can see she’s upset. She smiles at me brightly, one hand brushing away her tears.
“Hey Ethan, what are you doing here?”
I gesture to my clothes and shoes. “Out for a run, saw you here all by yourself, figured I’d see if you want some company.”
Summer looks around, her head resting on the metal chain of the swing. “I was walking around, checking out the rest of the town, and I found myself here.” She pushes off with her feet, slowly moving back and forth. I stay standing to the side, my arms resting loosely crossed in front of my chest. “I loved this school. Mr. Wagner, our grade two teacher, he used to wear silly costumes all the time. A lab coat and pretend mustache for science, giant glasses and a bow tie for math; he made it so fun. And Mrs. Song, the librarian, she always had the perfect book for each of us to read. Somehow, she always knew what we wanted each week. And this playground…”
