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I nodded, chewing on my bottom lip. "Yeah, I get that. But what if he thinks it's too soon and I scare him off? I mean, it's not just my heart on the line here."
Laney gave me a sympathetic smile. "True, but that's why communication is key. You've gotta be able to talk about this stuff, even if it's uncomfortable. Trust is everything in a relationship, especially one with a kid involved."
I knew she was right, even if the thought of having that conversation made my palms sweat. "Okay, okay, I'll talk to him. But if it all goes south, I'm blaming you."
Laney grinned, giving me a playful punch on the arm. "That's my girl. And if it does go south, I've got a pint of Ben & Jerry's with your name on it."
We finished browsing the racks, both of us leaving empty-handed. As we parted ways to our respective vehicles, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Laney's words had struck a chord, and I knew I needed to be honest with Jake, even if it meant putting myself out there.
The rest of the week was a blur of finalizing grades and packing up my classroom. The end of the school year was always bittersweet, but this year felt especially so. Maybe it was because I knew I'd have to spend an extra week proctoring exams for the older kids. Yuck.But the promise of the annual Sycamore Valley bonfire kept me going.
The bonfire night finally arrived, it was like something out of a quirky indie film, with families gathering around mismatched lawn chairs and enough food to feed a small country. Kids ran around like tiny maniacs, while parents gossiped and swapped recipes for the perfect marshmallow roast.
As the sky turned a deep violet, Mayor Hawkins gave a speech that rivaled the length of a Lord of the Rings movie, before Old Man Jameson, the owner of the lakeside bait shop, expertly lit the arranged wooded pyramid while Gus Thompson, former town fire chief, stood guard, a no-nonsense expression on his face.
Soon sparks flew into the night sky, and everyone gathered around, their faces glowing in the flickering light.
The scent of toasted marshmallows and hot dogs mingled with the crisp air, and before long, an impromptu sing-along broke out. Off-key voices belted out classic tunes beneath the starry sky, and for one magical night, all the shadows seemed to melt away.
I sat on a blanket near the fire, soaking in the warmth and the laughter. Jake stood nearby, joking around with some of the other dads, his blue eyes sparkling in the firelight. Hailey and her friends were a little way down the beach, giggling and whispering like only tweenage girls can.
I even spotted Becca chatting with Jim, while Laney and Dan looked cozy together. The sight made me smile, my heart swelling with happiness for my friends.
As the night wore on, Jake finally came and sat next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. "Hey, stranger. I missed you."
I leaned into him, breathing in his familiar scent. "I missed you, too."
We talked about our weeks, the conversation flowing as easily as the waves lapping against the shore, until Jake dropped a bombshell.
"Natasha showed up and took Hailey out for dinner on Wednesday."
My body tensed, a million questions racing through my mind. Why hadn't he told me sooner? What did Natasha want? Was she trying to worm her way back into their lives?
I tried to play it cool, forcing a laugh. "Oh, really? Did she explain why she pulled a Houdini and vanished without a word?"
Jake shook his head, his expression unreadable. "Nope. But I'm guessing she was trying to dodge the town gossip. It's probably getting to her."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "She's not the only one." The thought of Natasha's upcoming wedding made my stomach churn. "Do you think you'll let Hailey go?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know, Mol. It's a tough call."
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to say. "I can go with her if you want. Be a buffer."
Jake pressed a kiss to the top of my head, his lips warm against my skin. "That's sweet of you to offer, but I can't put that on you. This is my responsibility, and I've gotta figure it out."
I nodded, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in my gut. I wanted to be there for him, to help shoulder the burden, but I knew he was right. This was something he needed to handle on his own. I thought about what Laney had said but couldn't bring myself to form the words to ask him about us moving in together. I'd have to find the right moment.
"Want a hot dog?" he asked, breaking the silence.
"Sure," I replied, trying to play it cool even though my stomach was doing more flips than an Olympic gymnast.
"I'll be right back." He gave me a quick kiss, his lips warm against mine, before heading off toward the picnic area. I watched him go, a smile playing on my lips disappearing faster than the warmth in the space beside where he had been.
I hugged my knees to my chest.
Despite the doubts that had been swirling in my head like a tornado of overthinking, I knew deep down that things with Jake and I were solid. And even if he wasn't ready to take the plunge and move in together, it wasn't the end of the world. We had plenty of time to figure things out, right?
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting it with a breathtaking array of oranges and pinks, a cool breeze swept in from the lake, carrying with it the comforting scent of woodsmoke. I inhaled deeply, feeling the tension from the past week slowly melt away with my new found resolve.
