Page 79 of Barefoot Lake

“Again, I knew it!” Piper bounces around on my screen, and I know she’s literally kicking her feet. “And he saved you from a charging moose? Like, are we joking right now?”

“No joke. He did do that. And he’s cooked and fixed things and communicated about his day. It’s been wonderful. He’s picking me up at seven-thirty for a real date.” I sigh and lean toward the mirror to put on my eyeliner.

“Is this something serious?”

I stop and lean back. Is it? It could be, but it’s still so new. Plus, I can’t exactly stay here, can I? My job — my life — is in Boston. I have obligations. I should be attending to some of those soon, too. I don’t like to go too long…

“I’m not sure, but I’m also not sure I’d mind if it were. After everything with Reid, I don’t want to jump into another relationship, but I also don’t want to push away a great guy because some arbitrary expectation says I need to wait, you know?”

“You’ve got to go with your gut. But what are you going to do about things back here? Don’t you have to be back here in a few weeks for work? Would you do distance with Jake? Have you even found an apartment here?”

She’s asking me questions I don’t want to answer, some that I can’t answer. I’ve been telling myself I still have time, but I’m not sure that’s still true.

“I don’t know! I — it’s — I don’t need to be back until January. It’s fine.”

That last part is a lie, and Piper can tell. She gives me a look that says so.

“I’ve been actively avoiding thinking about Boston. I’ve liked it here. And now I’m actively avoiding thinking about what it means for me and Jake when I do come back.”

“You know I can’t tell you what to do, but I’m here to listen. You don’t need to figure it all out tonight. Enjoy your date with someone who sounds like a good man.”

“Thank you, bestie.”

I shimmy into a high-neck, backless, black cocktail dress with long sleeves that each have a slit from the shoulder to the cuffs at my wrist. I hook the delicate rhinestone chain across the back at my shoulders and give a twirl in front of my phone for Piper.

“What do you think?”

Piper whistles in response.

“Walk him like a dog, sis. Walk him like a dog.”

I roll my eyes at her and carry my phone into my bedroom so I can sit on the bed.

“Enough about me. What’s new with you, Pipe?”

“Nothing new. There’s just more of the same old bullshit. New boss Bernard is still a demeaning, arrogant piece of crap. The other day, I was seriously tempted to see if I could push one of the shelves on him, but I didn’t want to hurt the books.”

“I think the books would understand in this case,” I say, making a face.

Piper has always loved working at the library, and it hurts to see her so miserable because of one nasty, poisonous seed.

“You’re a bad influence! You’re supposed to say things like ‘No, Piper. Murdering your boss would be bad!’”

“My mama taught me that lying was bad.”

We’re both laughing when I hear a knock downstairs. Piper glances at her clock.

“Oh! And he’s punctual, too? You found a rare gem.”

“I really think I did…” I smile and squeal. “We’ll be finishing this chat soon, though, ok?”

“Ok, but you’ve got to go now! I love you!”

“Bye! Love you, too!”

I disconnect the call and drop my phone and essentials in a small cross-body bag. I slip on a pair of heels before scurrying down the stairs and opening the door. The dress is worthy of fudging my “no shoes indoors” rule.

My eyes land on Jake, and I have to actively remind myself to keep my mouth from falling open. My worry about our future momentarily flies out of my head. He’s in gray slacks, a white button-up with the top couple of buttons undone, and a gray blazer. He’s trimmed his beard close and tamed his beautiful curls so they stay out of his eyes. Now that I’ve seen scruffy Jake, casual Jake, naked Jake, and suave Jake, I can say with absolute certainty that they’re all gorgeous.