“Yeah, we wanted to talk to you about that,” Brad said.

“About what?” I asked.

“We want to fix it up for you,” Benny said. “When I got sick and I had to move back into my mom’s place, the worst part was how old everything was. We want to replace the blinds, paint.”

“We could pull up that old carpet too. Retile the bathroom,” Brad said. “Really do it up nice.”

I felt my face soften. They got this. They understood what this was like for me.

“Sound good?” Brad said.

“Yeah,” I said. “Thank you. There’s actually something else you can help me with too,” I said, looking at them. “I need help making sure I can still see Emma until she goes.”

Benny nodded. “Yeah, of course.”

“I might need a sitter,” I said. “Or someone to watch the dog last minute.”

“Totally,” Brad said. “Done. I’m sure Jane and Faith will help too.”

“Thanks,” I said. “I appreciate it. And I definitely want to retile the bathroom. I will absolutely take you up on that.” I looked at my watch. “I have to get going.”

“Let’s plan something together,” Brad said, pushing up on his thighs. “Faith wants to meet her.”

“Yeah,” I said, though I knew it probably wouldn’t happen.

I was barely getting enough of her for me.

CHAPTER 18 EMMA

Maddy and I docked at the mansion for my second date with Justin. It was almost a week since I’d gone to his house for spaghetti. I’d been working nonstop. Maddy was going grocery shopping so she tied the boat up and walked with me across the lawn.

Mom was in a unicorn floatie in the pool.

She wore her wide-brimmed hat and giant sunglasses, drinking something with an umbrella in it.

“Hey!” She waved. “On the way to the hospital?”

“No,” Maddy called. “Day off.”

“Okay. Well, make good choices girls!” Mom called.

“Will do!” Maddy shouted.

When we got to the side of the garage, Maddy’s smile dropped off. “See?” she said. “I told you I would be nice.”

“Thank you,” I said. “I appreciate it.”

We’d had a long talk the night I got back from Justin’s. She apologized and promised to give Mom the benefit of the doubt. Then she’d grilled me on Justin for the next hour until I forced her out of my room so I could go to bed.

She was obsessed with the idea of me being obsessed with someone. I wasn’t, but she would will it into existence if she could.

I did like him though. I’d been thinking a lot about the docking station. Then I’d been thinking about why I was thinking about it.

Maybe it was because I didn’t usually cuddle with anyone? I couldn’t actually remember the last time I did. It was really addictive—and I had a feeling I wouldn’t like it with any man but him.

I definitely wasn’t telling Maddy that.

“What time is he coming?” Maddy asked.

“Another five minutes.”

“Want to wait on the porch?”

“Sure.”

We plopped into the chairs outside the front door.

“So where’s he taking you?” Maddy asked.

“Stillwater. Want to see the invitation he sent?”

“Uh, yeah.”

I pulled it up and handed her my phone.

The invite was placed over an old black-and-white photo of loggers standing on a pile of timber.

JUSTIN CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO DINNER, WINE TASTING AND ANTIQUE SHOPPING IN STILLWATER, THE BIRTHPLACE OF MINNESOTA, AT 5:00, AUGUST 8TH.

PLEASE WEAR WALKING SHOES.

She handed me the phone back. “I swear to God this guy is the epitome of If He Wanted To He Would.”

“He definitely makes curse breaking fun,” I agreed.

She looked over at me. “So what’s up with Amber?”

I shrugged. “Nothing.”

“You guys making any plans to hang out?”

“I don’t know. She doesn’t really answer my texts.”

Her expression changed.

“What?” I said.

“Nothing. That’s just what my face does when I leave it unattended.”