“It wasn’t like that. I did like Lyle, too, at the time—”

“Or about how hurt you were that he left you in L.A. without saying goodbye?”

“I definitely mentioned it last night at one point. I was a pathetic mess, and he apologized for that, which is maybe worse—”

“And last night when you kissed and it was looking like more might happen, you explained that you weren’t turning him down, you were looking for more?”

“He didn’t even let me!” I shout, frustration strangling in my throat. “He didn’t even try to make his case. He just shook me off and said it was a mistake. He said, and I quote, ‘It’s always the same old missed connections between us, isn’t it, Shelby?’” Tears leave a burning trail down my cheeks.

Maren comes and wraps me in a firm hug from behind, but Lorelai stays put. She, like me, doesn’t do shows of emotion very well. Her small smile is sad.

“He should have stayed.”

I nod, sniffing uselessly. “I just wanted him to try. I want someone to prove I am worth the effort, you know? Not someone. Cameron. Because I’ve somehow built him up in my memories as this…” I shake my head and clear my throat, taking a deep, cleansing breath. “That’s not fair. He is wonderful. I haven’t made him up. He’s kind and funny and respectful and loves his mom and … I want him to try.”

“But isn’t he eventually going to run again? Like, not from you, but he’s not staying in Michigan, Shelb,” Maren reminds me. “He hasn’t committed to anything but the pilot, right?”

I sigh. Like I could forget. Cameron was clear with Lyle that he would only sign on for one episode. Technically, one whole-house renovation, but a renovation per episode means he’s only committed to the pilot. As far as anyone knows, he fully intends to return to globe-trotting with National Geographic after things wrap on the Caroline Street house. Missed connections, bad timing, always leaving … all of it should be a giant, flashing neon relationship deterrent, but it’s not.

My best friends stare at me: Maren, compassionate; Lorelai, assessing. Lorelai speaks first.

“So, what are we going to do, Shelb? You look like hell and have to be in front of the camera tomorrow. You need to sleep tonight. So…?”

Maren sighs dramatically. “Fine, then, not yoga, but what about canoeing or kayaks?”

Lorelai hops off her stool. “Better go with kayaks. Shelby has energy to burn.”