We arrived at a tiny lake house on a Friday evening after only a two-hour drive.
Trees grew at the back of the property, while the path in front led to the easy slope to the lake with a small deck.
Rowan took my overnight suitcase, so I grabbed his duffel bag and keys, and ran inside.
The one-bedroom cabin had a cosy living room and a disproportionately big bathroom. The place was built of wooden logs and had the ultimate cottagecore vibes with potted plants everywhere, mahogany furniture, and cute-as-fuck rugs.
I traced a finger along the spines of old books and several figurines carved from wood. “It feels homey, not a vacation house.”
“An elderly couple lived here, but they passed away a few weeks ago. During my search for a short retreat, I found this, and it looked perfect for what I wanted. Mike and John’s families are temporarily renting the house before they sell it. They all live too far to use it. They cleaned up all personal belongings but left knick-knacks that make this place so cosy.”
I crossed my arms. “And all that was on the website?”
“No.” Rowan pursed his lips like a child caught stealing candy. “I talked to Franny, their granddaughter, over email last week. I had to be sure you’d like it here.”
I narrowed my eyes. Mr. Unsociable chatting to people? Then again, maybe he was more open online than in person. “You went to all this trouble for me?”
“I wanted to enjoy it too.” Rowan snuck his hands behind me, cupped my bum and lifted me up.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. “Thank you.”
“Now we need to put the steaks in the fridge, and you can pick what you want for dinner.” Rowan scratched my cheek with his beard affectionately.
“Whatever we packed, as long as we’ll sit on the deck and look at the sunset while we eat. I’m fine with popcorn.”
“That’s not food.”
“Sure is.” I wriggled out of his arms and sprinted to the kitchen.
We ended up with quick-prep hot-dogs and a bowl of popcorn on Rowan’s blanket spread across the deck. The same checkered monstrosity he’d had in his car when we’d stopped in the woods on the way from Raina’s wedding. I was warming up to it. Fond memories and all.
We didn’t need to change from shorts, thanks to the heat that lingered into the evening with a warm breeze from the lake tickling the hair on my legs. Rowan took his tank top off, but I kept my cute crop top on. It had a sun in the colors of the rainbow and a shadow of a bigfoot in front of it with the inscription: “out and proud”, referring to how cryptids were out of the monster closet and living amongst humans, but also to the abandonment of the society-created concept of rigid sexuality and gender rules.
“You picked the best place,” I said around a mouthful of hotdog. The sky glowed red and orange, bathing the lake and the surrounding trees in warm colors. This was the magical moment when the day was ending and on its way toward dusk.
“I don’t remember the last time I simply sat and looked at the sunset. Maybe on the trip to Egypt my parents took me and all my siblings when I was little.” Rowan bit into his food. “When I was not chasing a career and success.”
“You’re successful now, so you can look at the setting sun and relax for a moment.” I nudged him with my elbow.
“You’re running a cafe, studying, helping your aunt, and organizing events for the community, and still you’ve never lost your whimsy.” Rowan put his hotdog down. “It’s admirable.”
“I have my bad moments,” I mumbled, regretting it immediately.
“That’s hard to believe.” Rowan wrapped an arm around me and kissed my temple.
“Be glad you don’t have to see me at my worst.” I set my food aside and wiggled my way between Rowan’s parted knees, resting my back against his front.
“Maybe I could help then.” He nuzzled the top of my head and inhaled.
Sadness twisted my gut. “You’re a good person, Rowan.”
“If you say so. You’d know.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You’re such an excellent judge of character, but you want to see the best in people, anyway. It’s so clear how intuitive and affable you are. Everyone who meets you adores you.” He wrapped his arms around my chest.
“I read people well. I knew Andrew was an asshole, but I still hoped he’s decent deep inside. You have an aura about you that told me right away that I could trust you. I can’t explain it.”
