“I am so glad you suggested this.” I lean back, letting my eyes fall shut. One foot is plunged in warm, bubbly water and the other is being massaged.

“Doug used to call me high maintenance for getting a pedicure after a day of hiking, but my feet would ache so much.”

“I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I totally underestimated how sore I’d be.” Jack and I got back to his cabin in the evening. We showered then put my prize to good use, and passed out soon after dinner, sleeping soundly through the night for eleven straight hours.

I could have stayed in bed all day with him, but Jack needed to work, and I felt a little guilty for not spending much time with Stephanie and Doug, though I suppose that’s the natural order of things. You spend less time with your parents and more with the person you’re going to build your own family with.

Once home in the morning, Stephanie suggested getting mani/pedis, shopping, and then dinner and a movie later. Doug is joining us for dinner and the movie after he gets off work.

“You’re walking and climbing at the same time, in a sense. And if you’re sore after a day of hiking, I would probably be dead. You’re in much better shape than me.”

I laugh. “I thought I was in decent shape until now. I guess I’ll start adding running into my workouts.” I wrinkle my nose. “I do not like running. I don’t see how Jack does it almost every day.”

“He’s always been a runner, hasn’t he?”

“Yeah. I used to sneak glimpses of him running in the mornings before school.”

“You weren’t too good at sneaking. I saw you a few times.” She winks. “That’s okay. Jack’s always been easy on the eyes.”

“He is.”

“Have you two talked about what you’re going to do once you go back to school?”

“Not exactly. I know we need to.”

“Jack’s able to do his job from home. Would he move to be with you?”

“I think so,” I say, but really, I’m not sure. The cabin and the woods have become part of his life. The solitude changed everything for him.

I can’t make him leave.

* * *

“Look at my beautiful girls.” Doug pulls Stephanie in for a hug and a quick kiss. “How was shopping?”

“Fun! We found some great sales.” Stephanie adjusts her purse over her shoulder. “Remember you love us when you look at the credit card bill later.”

“I’m scared to look now.”

“They were really good sales,” I say. “We couldn’t pass them up.”

“If the sales were so good, then why is the bill high?” Doug opens the door to the restaurant for us.

“Because we got a lot of stuff.” I step inside. “And it would have cost at least twice as much off sale.”

“Such savvy shoppers,” Doug laughs. We’re a few minutes early for our reservation and have to hang out in the busy waiting area before we’re seated. My phone buzzes. I step back into a corner and pull it from my purse. It’s Becca, asking me if I’m still alive.

Me: Nope. You’re talking to a ghost.

Becca: Shut up loser. You disappeared on me. I thought maybe you fell off a mountain or something

Me: Or something…

Becca: OMG spill. Is this about Jack??

Me: Yes.

Becca: TELL ME RIGHT NOW!

Me: I slept with him a few more times. And I told him I still love him.

Becca: No fucking way. I don’t believe you.

I respond with a picture I took of Jack, Charlie, and me on the mountainside. Jack and I are sitting on the ground. I’m between his legs, with my back to his front, and Charlie by our side, looking at the camera with his head cocked.

Becca: Stop it right now. How fucking adorable.

I send a heart emoji.

Becca: but I have so many questions now.

Me: I’ll call you tonight. I’m at dinner with Steph & Doug

The hostess calls our name and we get seated at the table.

“Nora,” Doug starts, “I ran into someone who’s interested in talking to you about a job.”

“Really?”

He laughs. “Yes, really. Her name is Karen Young, and she’s taking over the Young Construction business her father used to run once he retires. They’re heading the new shopping center proposed to go up in town. I told her all about my smart daughter who graduated from Berkeley with honors and she wants to meet with you.” He glances at Stephanie. “I know you mentioned going back up north, but it’s something you might want to consider.”

“Yeah. I’ll talk to her.”

“You will?” Stephanie asks, eyes wide.

I unfold the menu. “Yeah. The more I think about it, the more I’m leaning toward staying here.”

Stephanie’s eyes narrow ever so slightly. “Because of Jack?”

“He is a reason, but I’ve been thinking about what you said before him, and how it makes sense to live at home for a while to save money. I can apply for jobs and if you can get me an interview at least with Young Construction, I’d be thrilled.”

Doug smiles. “I’ll let her know you are indeed interested and see what she says.”

“Thanks.”

“Of course. You know we’d like to closer to home, but more than anything, we want you to be happy. I don’t know the Youngs well, but I do know their company has been growing fast.

Doug pulls up the Young Construction website, and we find as much info as we can before our dinner comes. I’m having a great time with Stephanie and Doug, laughing throughout our meal. We lose track of the time and rush over to the movie. Stephanie and I go in to save seats while Doug gets popcorn and drinks.

I double check to make sure my phone is on silent, then hang my purse from the armrest of my seat. I’ve already seen this movie with Becca, but I don’t say anything to Stephanie and Doug, who were both excited to see it.

Aiden Shepherd stars in this action film, and Becca is a huge fan. She got to meet him, thanks to her Hollywood producer parents. She got a picture with him and everything and talked about it nonstop for a week. It was three years ago, and she still occasionally makes it her Facebook profile picture.

The movie starts, and it’s just as good as the first time. I stuffed myself at dinner and still manage to eat half a bowl of buttery popcorn. When the lights turn on at the end, I brush popcorn crumbs off my lap and try my best to clean up the mess.

I take my phone from my purse on the way to the car and come to a dead stop. I have three missed calls and a dozen texts from Jack.

Something is wrong.

I unlock my phone, not sure if I should listen to his message or read his texts first. I can read texts faster than I can listen. I open my texts, heart stopping when I read his words.

“Oh my God.” My hand flies to my mouth. I read everything again, making sure I read it right because it can’t be right.

“What’s wrong, honey?” Holding Doug’s hand, Stephanie turns around.

My heart is racing so hard and my nerves prickle so hard I’m dizzy. I look up into Stephanie’s eyes. “The guy who led Jack’s PTSD support group hung himself.”