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“Whatever you want to do, Mia. You know I understand. Let’s head back and get some breakfast. Or we could go to Basic Ingredients for their famous sticky buns.”
“Isn’t that on the other side of the lake?”
“Yeah, but we can make it. We’ll cut across.”
“Girl, if you think I have the strength for that this morning, you’re mistaken. How about we drive there?”
“OK, OK.”
We paddle back to the shore, my arms a little sore. With the boards in the truck, I get into the driver’s seat and check my phone. It surprises me to see a text from Jackson this early.
Jackson
Hi, Solia, are you around today? I was hoping to swing by and talk.
My stomach tightens from the urgency of his message. I read it to Mia as she buckles in. She stares at me blankly, waiting for my reaction.
“I get butterflies every time I think about him. It’s pathetic. Even a text message excites me. I’ll tell him I can’t today, though.”
“No, no, you should see him. It’ll be fine. I’ll tell Tyler I can grab lunch instead, if he’s around, and you can tell Jackson to come over. You and I can eat dinner together and then we’ll hang. It’s all good.”
“Are you sure? I can make plans with Jackson another day. You traveled hours to be here. I’d rather hang out with you.”
“I’m not going anywhere. It’ll just be a couple hours. Of course. Tell him eleven.”
“Do you want to check with Tyler first?”
“No, if he wants to see me, he’ll make it work.” Of course he will. Sometimes I wish I had Mia’s conviction.
With our laughter filling the truck, I text Jackson back.
SOLIA
Sure, how’s eleven? Mia and I are just getting off the lake now, but I’ll be home and cleaned up by then.
Great, I’ll bring sandwiches from the orchard store.
Sounds great. Those were amazing last time. See you soon.
* * *
Luckily, Tyler shows up after Mia helps me pick an outfit—navy blue shorts and my favorite white tank. Mia never needs fashion advice, and even though she is limited to her suitcase this weekend, she looks fabulous in her white cotton sundress. The little I've learned about Tyler is enough to know he’ll love her look today.
I figure I’ll put lemonade on the porch with two glasses since Jackson is bringing lunch. Thankfully, my parents had a ceiling fan installed in the screened-in porch. Before that, this area was an open deck and felt like an absolute oven under the midday sun. There was no way you could enjoy sitting out in the afternoon without sizzling like an egg in a frying pan.
Trying to relax and not read too deeply into Jackson’s text, I lie on the lounge outside to read until he arrives. I need to take advantage of the time I have because when the school year begins, if I land a job, my reading time will be replaced by correcting papers.
Jackson pulls in minutes after eleven, sandwiches in hand, wearing another hat backward with light blue swim trunks and a white T-shirt, looking sexy as hell. Every ounce of my common sense floats away on the breeze.
He’s here to talk. I have to focus.
“Hey there, beautiful.” He sets a brown bag on the table and gathers me in for a hug. His skin meets mine, spreading an electrical current through my body.
How is that possible? Does everyone experience this with someone?
“Hi, Jackson.” I hold on to him and tilt my head, willing his lips on mine. Instead, he places a soft kiss on my cheek.Always a gentleman.
He loosens his grip around my waist, pulls a chair from the table, and sits. Following his lead, I sit across from him. The brown bag blocks our view of each other. He hesitates and then pushes the bag over to the end of the table. He slouches a little in his seat and briefly closes his eyes. In an instant, I know something’s not right. Usually Jackson’s energy is warm, embracing, and light. Right now, the air sits heavy, almost too heavy to breathe.
