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Archer let out a heavy sigh. He’d gotten different iterations of that same question the last couple of days, and he never knew what to say. Awful, thanks? Like a truck ran over me, actually. He didn’t want to get into the details with anyone though, so he answered with a curt “fine” and went along with closing up his cabin and getting ready to leave.

This time it was coming from Rhonda.

He slammed the back of his truck, packed with the few things he brought up there in May. He sucked in a breath to answer her.

“Don’t you dare say fine because we both know that’s bull.”

Archer rolled his eyes, annoyed. “How do you think I’m holding up?” he grumbled.

“Not well, I assume.” She crossed her arms and leaned against his truck. “Have you heard from her?”

Archer shook his head. It had been thirty-six hours since their awful attempt at a goodbye. He’d thought through what he said to her over and over, how he would wait for until she was ready. It might have been stupid to say, but he didn’t regret it at all. He meant it. Tea was it for him. If she didn’t want it, well, then he was bound to be single forever. That was that.

“It’s probably foolish, but I’m hoping she’ll come around,” he admitted.

Rhonda shrugged. “I don’t think it’s foolish. I saw the way you looked at her. Sometimes…you just know.”

He paused. “Was it like that with you and Steph?”

She nodded. “Yes. It took us a little while to get there, but I knew from the start that she was my person.”

Archer looked out at the lake. “That’s how I feel.”

Rhonda gave him a sad smile. “Come on. I know people are still packing up, but you should make your rounds.”

He groaned. “Do I have to?”

“Yes, my boy. You committed to being the manager for a long time. I think it’s best you stay in everyone’s good graces.” Her face hardened. “Although if you want to give Joel a good ol’ fuck you, I won’t object.”

Archer smirked. He did as Rhonda suggested and made his rounds, popping outside each cabin and saying goodbye to everyone. No hugs; everyone stood at committed six-foot distances, not wanting to chance anything before going their separate ways. Except for Tea’s grandmother, who hugged his chest and told him she loved him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and told her the same.

Mom was crying on the porch, like she did every year on the last day at the lake. He bent down to kiss her on the cheek. “It’s not going to disappear, Mom.”

She slapped his arm and laughed. He always said the same thing to her, and she always responded the same way. Sometimes with an added “you smart-ass.” He wrapped her up in a hug and said he would call when he got to Minneapolis. He booked a hotel for a week and hoped it would be enough time to find himself a new apartment.

His brow pinched. “Where’s Dad?”

Mom frowned. “Not sure.”

“Right here!”

Dad jogged up to them from the side of the cabin, his cheeks pink and a dopey smile on his face. “I noticed you forgot a few of your things, so I put them near your truck.”

He tilted his head. “No, I’m pretty sure I have everything.”

“Trust me, you don’t.”

Archer followed his father around the cabin to the back lot, Mom close at his heels. When his truck came into sight, he froze at what waited for him.

Three suitcases.

A fucking snake plant.

And the most beautiful woman with wavy red hair.

She grinned, then took off running in his direction. He tore away from his parents and ran to her as well, catching her when she jumped. She wrapped her legs around his chest and nuzzled her face into his neck.

He cried, then he laughed, then he cried again.