And I’m missing my happy buzz. Part of it caused by the alcohol, but the other bit by a certain biker who made a unplanned appearance. Despite this being the first foray into bonding with my new librarian friend, I have to admit I was slightly bummed to send Warner away. He’s just so … nice.

To be around.

He gives me a warm, giggly feeling that I haven’t had in a while. Maybe ever.

And when I have beer running through my veins, I don’t have to think about how I’m not planning on staying in Pine Falls. I can enjoy the sensation of having a crush. I can laugh at his jokes. Fall into his arms. Pretend that I have an idea of where my life is headed and maybe it’s not impossible to pursue a small-town biker.

“She’s back!” Juliet cheers me as I approach the campfire. She moved to stand near the edge of the lake. “How’d you do?”

“This big dope scared me half to death, but I survived.” I throw a thumb at Bruce, who reclaims his spot on a worn blanket. “And my bladder is empty, so mission accomplished.”

“Success!” Juliet grins, then turns back to the water and launches a rock out of her hand. The pebble skips until it’s swallowed by darkness.

After grabbing myself another beer, I join her by the water’s edge. The whole afternoon, we talked about lighthearted things, like our favorite books and foods and hobbies. I now know that Juliet isn’t only good at camping, but she’s also a rock climber. She makes sense in a Colorado town more than I do.

Still, Pine Falls is kind of removed. I’m curious how she ended up here, and my tongue is just loose enough that I’m ready to ask.

“Do you have family in town?”

“Nope.” She skips another rock that goes even farther than the first.

“How’d you hear about Pine Falls then?”

“The job posting was online, and I was looking …” She hesitates, and my curiosity is thoroughly piqued. “I wanted to get away.”

“And Pine Falls fit the bill?” This is prying, isn’t it? I’m being pushy.

“Better than most.” This comes out softer, lacking her enthusiasm from a moment ago.

I glance at the side of her head for a moment, but Juliet stares fixedly out at the water. Eventually, I turn to stare into the darkness with her.

“We’re friends, right?” I ask.

Juliet visibly tenses. “Yeah …”

The word doesn’t come out solid. It’s as if she’s only loaning it to me and is bracing to take it back at any moment.

“Then, I want to establish a very important rule of our friendship.”

“What’s that?” Wariness fills her tone.