Viv pulls out her phone and takes Josh’s number.
“What exactlydoyou do here, Josh?” Viv asks.
“Oh, you know, a bit of this, a bit of that.” He winks and leaves with a flourish.
“Did you know Josh is gay?” I ask once he’s well out of earshot.
“Yeah, I suspected.” She closes her eyes and lies back.
“Really? Luke told me this morning, and I was totally blindsided.”
“To be fair, you’re preoccupied. Josh hasn’t checked out my tits once, and they have been out on display! Look at these babies. They’re fantastic, and he didn’t even spare a glance.” She cups her breasts and looks between them.
“He could have just not been a boob guy. Maybe he’s more of a butt guy.”
“You don’t have to be a boob guy to appreciate these girls. Plus, he’s just really charming and not giving sexual, horny guy vibes at all. So… I just sort of suspected.” She puts her sunglasses on and leans back again. “Now, let me nap.”
Twenty-One
LIKE A WOMAN POSSESSED
Liv
The afternoon sun rose as high as it would go and hung in the sky for a while before beginning its downward arc. Viv left her chair some time ago to float around in the water, covered by her new oversized floppy hat. Fran was right—it looks great on her.
I place my book down in my lap and inhale deeply. I realize I’ve sat here, reading under the shade of the umbrella, not stressing about work or emails or anything.
Huh.
Just over two days ago, I was still in constant motion—crammed between deadlines, tasks, delegating, and worrying about the future of Liv + Viv after the debacle with stupid Bad Date Bradley. I was facing a burnout that everyone could see but me.
But here? I am uncharacteristically relaxed. I can feel my battery recharging in a way it never did before.
Maybe it’s the stillness of the lake, the fresh air, or the calming presence of the surrounding nature, but I can really breathe here. Like the weight of the world isn’t sitting on mychest, suffocating me. Although, I never realized how suffocated I felt until now.
Maybe this lake really is magical.
I pick my book up, scanning the page for the spot I left off on, but my mind wanders to Luke instead.
The memory of the morning resurfaces uninvited, every detail flooding my mind. How close he was when he leaned in, and how good his hands felt on my skin. I close my eyes, leaning my head back, book forgotten.
I imagine lazy mornings wrapped in his arms, sipping coffee on the patio overlooking the lake. Fresh-cut roses in a jar beside me while I work on my computer. Doing the dishes together after dinner and slow strolls down Main Street, our hands entwined.
Surprised by the direction of my thoughts, I laugh to myself.You’re ridiculous. This is a vacation, not a permanent residence. And Luke...
The feeling of rejection rushes in fast and furious. It’s sour and uncomfortable and not entirely new. I’m unsure what to make of this morning. Ifelthim. I know I affected him, so what happened?
Scoffing, I slam my book shut.Some people get forever. Some people get left behind.
Viv comes back to life in the inner tube, sitting up like a woman possessed.
“Girl!” she calls out while paddling back to shore. “I am fried! Total lobster status fried. Like, I should have reapplied sunscreen so many times and definitely did not.”
I tap my phone. Sunny’s furry face lights up the screen. Three-thirty.
“Let’s get cleaned up and figure out the evening,” I say.
Viv slowly makes her way to shore until she can get out and walk the rest of the way. She pulls her cover-up on and balls her towel up.
