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“Let’s enjoy whatever time we’ve got together,” she whispers.
Closing the distance between us, I kiss her again. Even though I want Moira with every fiber of my being, I’m not going to try to get her into bed. The whole point of this experiment is to treat her like a queen, not to leave her worse off than before she met me.
Moira puts her hands against my chest and pushes slightly. “We should go.”
I lift her hand and brush my lips across her knuckles. “You can change your mind if you want. Just tell me. I promise I’ll understand.” I hope to God she doesn’t, as we’ve just opened the floodgates, and I’d have a hell of a time closing them again.
“You, too,” she says, turning to face the windshield. “We’re both mature adults who know what we’re doing. I don’t think either of us is in any danger here.” She sounds like she’s trying to convince herself.
Holding hands all the way back to Gamble, I wish I could stop time right now, before things get complicated. Before we eventually have to say goodbye.
When we pull up in front of the lodge, Digger walks out with his bouncy Great Dane, Otis, and Moira’s boys in tow. Moira slips her hand from mine and points at her brother. “If we’re really going to do this, we need to keep it a secret from that guy right there.”
“Agreed.” My mind races through a dozen scenarios of him finding out that I’m going to be his sister’s practice boyfriend, and they all end at my funeral.
As soon as we get out of the truck, the boys greet Moira with big hugs. Digger says, “I’ll unload the supplies, both here and at the diner, so you can go home and enjoy some kid-free time.”
“Need any help?” I hope he says no.
He shakes his head. “You’ve done enough already.” I know he means my accompanying Moira to Anchorage, but if he knew what we just agreed to, his response could definitely be construed as threatening.
As Moira and I walk to our cars, I lean in and whisper, “Want some company? I could drive over to your place instead of going home?”
Her eyes open so wide they look like they’re in jeopardy of popping out of her head. “I … um … that is to say … I think I need some time alone.”
“You’ve got it, lady. This whole experiment is so that you can finally take care ofyou.”
Once she gets behind the wheel, she looks up at me and says, “Thank you for today. I enjoyed every second of it.”
“Same here,” I tell her, wondering if I’ve ever had a better time. “See you tomorrow morning?”
“You know where to find me.” I watch her drive off, feeling like a teenager in the first throes of love as I drive back to my cabin. Except all images of Beth Steinberg—my first love—are replaced with Moira’s visage. I warn myself not to get too carried away, but I’m still going to enjoy this pretend relationship. I’m going to cherish every moment she and I spend together, and I’m going to prove to her that she deserves only the best.
I could never do that if I was really trying for a future with Moira. Images of Paige still burn too hotly. But maybe a pretend relationship will help me see that happily-ever-after is a possibility for me too.
Once I’m inside my cabin, I pull out my phone to see if I have any messages. There haven’t been many since I left town. The office doesn’t call and the few friends I have outside of work have lives as busy as mine used to be. It was an accomplishment for us to see each other every couple of months or so.
So, imagine my surprise when I find I have seven missed calls. All from my mother.
Message one:Ethan, your father and I have decided to rent a car at the airport. As much as I’d love to have you pick us up, we should have our own vehicle in case of emergency. Love you, bye.
Message two:Ethan, it’s your mother. What’s the weather like in Alaska right now? I don’t want to overpack but I’m not sure if I should bring more shorts or more pants. Let me know.
Message three:I haven’t heard from you so I’m going to pack mostly capri pants. That way my butt won’t stick to the leather of a hot car and if it’s cool, most of my legs will be covered.
Message four:Ethan Adam Caplan, where are you? You need to be better about calling me back. I called the diner, but no one is picking up. Have you been mauled by a bear? Call me the second you get this message!
Message five:If you got mauled by a bear, I’m never going to forgive you.
Message six:I’ve called every hospital in a two-hundred-mile radius from Gamble and they don’t have any John Does that fit your description. I can only take that to mean you are good and truly dead, and all before making me a grandmother. This smarts, Ethan, it really does.
The last message came in a couple of minutes before I got in. It’s my dad this time.Call back as soon as you can, Ethan. Your mom’s blood pressure has shot up a hundred points in the last hour.
I hit redial and wait for twelve rings until the phone is answered. “I could have been mauled by a bear waiting for you to answer the phone,” I joke.
“Ethan, finally. I had to go lie down in a dark room,” my mother says. “Where have you been?”
“I went to Anchorage to help a friend.”
