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She seems to recognize Melissa immediately. “Oh my gosh, Missy Corner?”
“Do I know you?”
“I’m Holly Berringer’s older sister. Do you remember the time you two had a mud fight at the dog park?”
Melissa's eyes open wide before she cringes. “I sure do. Mud wasn’t the only thing we wound up throwing.” Her face contorts in such a way as to make it clear what the other thing was.
“How have you been?” Terra asks her. “I understand you and your mom have quite a booming bridal business in town.”
“We do,” Melissa says. “How’s Holly? I haven’t seen her in years.”
“She lives in Iceland now.”
“Iceland?” That wouldn’t have been in my top one hundred guesses.
Terra shrugs her shoulders. “She went on a yoga retreat there ten years ago and decided she never wanted to leave. She only comes home every two years, and we visit her on the odd years.”
“I always wanted to get out of Elk Lake for a while.” Melissa sounds envious.
“Your mom must be glad you stayed though.”
“My mom is the reason I wanted to leave.”
Terra laughs. “Listen, we’re going to order pizza for the girls' supper, why don’t you and Jamie join me and Rob for a barbecue? We have another couple joining us.”
Melissa gives me the side-eye like she doesn’t know how to answer. She finally says, “I don’t know about Jamie, but I’d really like that. Thank you.”
“I’d love to join you as well,” I tell Terra. “It’s hard to get to know people when you’re new in town.”
Terra gives us the address before saying, “Six o’clock. Just go around the back of the house to the deck.”
After she walks away, Sammy announces, “I need you to bring my pink nightgown with you. Oh, and I need my toothbrush, hairbrush, shorts and a T-shirt for tomorrow. And my tennis shoes, too. Don’t forget my pillow.”
“Would you like me to bring your mattress as well?” How much does one kid need for a sleepover?
Instead of getting my joke, Sammy looks to Regan for the answer. Regan announces, “No need. We’ve got sleeping bags.”
After the kids jump into the water, I tell Melissa, “It’s nice to be invited out. I don’t think I would have enjoyed being home alone tonight.”
“Welcome to my world …” she mutters so quietly, it’s clear she’s not looking for a response. Louder, she adds, “Terra thinks we’re a couple. I’ll make sure to set the record straight.”
“I already told her we were friends when I introduced you.” I find I don’t mind being mistaken for Melissa’s boyfriend.
“She invited us together and mentioned there would beanothercouple there.”
Ignoring her concern about our being mistaken for a duo, I ask, “What do you say I pick you up at your apartment at five forty-five. We can carpool.”
“I don’t mind driving myself.”
“I wouldn’t want your salamander breeder to get mad at us for creating a larger carbon footprint,” I tease. “After all, conservation makes for a happy planet.”
“He’s notmysalamander breeder yet,” she tells me. “But if you want to drive, go for it. That way I can drink.” It sounds like she’s suggesting I’m driving her to drink. The thought makes me smile.
As we collect our things to leave, I tell Melissa, “I’ve had a very nice day. Thank you.”
Her expression is akin to her shuffling across a shag rug in wool socks and touching something metal. “I had a nice day, too,” she finally replies.
We walk out to the parking lot together before going our separate ways. As I watch her get into her car, I can’t help but feel very fortunate she’s the first person Sammy and I met in Elk Lake. Melissa has set the tone for what appears to be a very good life choice for us.
