“Tell him if he hurts you, I’ll kill him.”

“I’ll be sure to relay exactly that to my study buddy.”

“He might say he wants to study, but really—”

“Mason!” Juliette cut me off. “I do not want to have this conversation with you. The first time was awkward enough.”

My twenty-something-self trying to talk to sixteen-year-old Juliette about birth control and safe sex had been painful, to say the least. “Trust me, I have zero desire to repeat that.”

“Thank God. Talk to you later, brother bear.”

She hung up before I could tell her I loved her. I stared at the photos on my desk. Two. It seemed empty. Despite the dream job and amazing friends, I felt so damn alone sometimes. I’d spent most of my dating years raising Jules, and I’d missed the train on finding someone. I didn’t regret it for a moment. But it didn’t change the fact that things simply felt lonely now.

3

ANNA

Lyla ran out of the lake, making a beeline for me. She threw her arms around me. I shrieked as the freezing-cold water dripped off her and onto my bare legs. “You little monster.” I went for her sides, tickling her.

She dissolved into giggles, falling into my lap. “I love it here. I’m so happy we moved.”

Her words were music to my ears. I’d been nervous when Chelsea had first broached the subject. Sutter Lake was different from Portland, and I wasn’t sure if she and the kids would love it as much as I did. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The last two weeks I’d spent taking care of my niece and nephew, they’d bloomed in this slower pace of life. They’d also fallen right into my group of friends.

I blew a raspberry on Lyla’s neck. “I’m so glad.”

She leapt from my lap and ran back to the water, swimming out towards the massive inflatable trampoline Kennedy and Cain had installed this year. She made it to the ladder in under two minutes.

“She swims like a fish,” Kennedy said, adjusting her sunglasses.

“I don’t know how. She’s barely had lessons.”

Our friend Taylor looked up from the little girl in her arms. “She’s got a gift. You should get her in lessons at the center. She might be a good candidate for the swim team. I help out a couple of times a week and can put you in touch with the coach.”

“That would be great.” School didn’t start for months, but the kids needed ways to meet friends and stay active. I typed out a quick text to Chelsea.

Me: What do you think about swim team for Lyla? I can sign her up.

I dropped the phone back into my lap as Jensen let out a loud catcall whistle.