Page 30 of Timid (Lark Cove 2)

I nudged her knee with mine, silently thanking her for changing the subject.

Hannah grinned and launched into a whole sordid tale about her seducing him last Friday night and screwing him in her office after everyone had left for the weekend. She didn’t spare any details about her sex life. She never had. And every time she said the word cock or fuck, she looked right at me.

Leighton thought she did it to shock or embarrass me. Maybe she was right. Our senior year, Hannah had given us all the dirty details about her relationship with two football players and her stories had definitely shocked me back then.

They didn’t anymore. I’d read erotic romance novels. I’d stumbled onto a rather educational account on Tumblr once. Heck, in college, I’d had to assist in teaching sex education during my one semester of student teaching.

The only reason I was blushing tonight was because Hannah was talking way too loudly as she described her lover’s technique, and three tables down sat our former math teacher Mr. Rockman.

Couldn’t we save these stories for margarita night?

Hannah went on and on and I focused on my cheeseburger, ignoring her constant looks from across the booth.

One day I’d find the right guy and he’d be my first. I wasn’t in a rush to jump in bed with someone just because I was curious or felt the need to check lose my virginity off a list. I wanted it to be special. And for the longest time, I’d been holding out hope that my first time would be with Jackson.

A hollow feeling settled in my chest when I realized that dream was gone.

I was twenty-six years old. I had kissed one man, after which he’d forgotten. I’d never had a boyfriend or sex. I’d never been in love.

All because I’d been waiting for Jackson Page.

I didn’t want to be twenty-seven and still single. I didn’t want to be ridiculous anymore. I’d made the decision weeks ago to give up on him, but it hadn’t really hit me until now. If I didn’t move on—if I didn’t let the illusion of him go—I’d be alone.

I shoved a huge bite of my cheeseburger into my mouth so I wouldn’t cry.

Damn you, Jackson.

Damn you.

“Are we going to the bar for a drink tonight?” June asked after we’d all finished eating.

“I can’t,” I said, digging in my purse for a twenty. “I have to go back to camp and teach my constellations class.”

Even if I didn’t have to teach, I certainly wouldn’t be going to the bar again.

We all dropped some cash on the table and slid out

of the booth. I gave my friends each a hug good-bye and promised to call Leighton tomorrow. Then I went back to the camp and met a group of excited kids in the main lodge.

I gave them each a constellation map and flashlight, then led them on a short hike to a clearing in the trees next to the lake.

As the kids tried to find Ursa Major and Cassiopeia, I picked the brightest star in Sagittarius.

And I wished to forget Jackson Page.

There was a rustling outside my door.

No one was knocking, but there was a distinct rustling sound.

And muttering.

I barely made out the words damn and shit.

I sat up in bed, clutching the covers to my chest as I strained to listen. My parents were fast asleep so it couldn’t be them. Plus, they didn’t curse.

The list of my regular visitors was short—Leighton, June and Hannah. And since I was certain that they were all asleep in their own beds, there was only one person who would come to see me in the middle of the night.

Jackson.