“Yeah?”
“Well, I just wanted you to have this… It’s not a big deal or anything.”
I stared down at the braided friendship bracelet he placed in my hand and met my best friend’s eyes. I stopped in my tracks. “You made this? Seriously?”
The bracelet sat nicely in the palm of my hand. Braided colors, a mix of blue, gray, and yellow, woven together into intricate little diamond patterns.
“I love it.” I hugged him and put it on immediately, wishing I had something to give him in return. “Before I forget, I wanted to tell you about something.” I rubbed my hands back and forth. “Margaret called earlier today, and I got the job.”
“Oh, that’s great. Are you gonna take it?”
I half-laughed before realizing Ren was serious. I was floored. “Why wouldn’t I take it?”
“I just thought—”
Before Ren could finish that sentence, my phone started blaring the loud and happy ringtone I’d assigned my sister. He raised his eyebrow just like he did every time he chastised me for my inability to abandon technology. “I went off the premises,” I whispered, like I owed him anything. I answered the phone toMarley’s wide smile as she hugged Savannah so they filled the screen. Ren nodded in understanding and left without a word.
“Look at you and that scruff. So, are you, like, Paul Bunyan now?” Marley asked.
“I haven’t chopped any wood, and they probably won’t let me go near an ax since mine ended up in the lake.”
“What? How?” she asked through a peel of laughter.
“Well, you remember Autumn? It was all her fault.”
“Autumn…Autumn? As in your high school love Autumn? She’s there?”
“Yup, she’s here.” Stunning as ever.
“Weird coincidence that you two would attend the same camp at the same time. What’s she up to now? She become a fancy doctor like she planned?”
“Actually, no. Get this: she’s a counselor here.”
Marley’s eyes bugged out of her head, giving Savannah a chance to speak.
“Hi, Jamie the Lumberjack.” Savannah spoke loudly over the children screeching in the background. That house was always chaotic. I loved it.
“I don’t chop wood all day. Have you two ever been camping?”
“I thought what you were doing wasglamping.”She stuck her tongue out at me like a rotten little sister. “So, what do you do all day, then? What’s it like there?”
How could I even put into words what this had meant to me?
“It’s unbelievable. You would love it. Mom and Dad would love it. In fact, I was thinking we should treat them to a week here, maybe for her birthday? There are all kinds of arts, crafts, and games. The cabins are charming and cozy like you wouldn’t believe. The food is amazing, and there’s an open bar. We have campfires every night that bring everyone together, but really, it’s the people. The counselors make it even more magical.People come from all over to be here. There’s nothing else like it.”
Marley made a hmm noise. “Camp’s really stolen your heart, then, huh?”
“Yeah.” I paused. “I guess it has.”
