“Right, well, you get what I mean. Although I do think you’d look fabulous in whatever kind of robes you choose to wear.”

Eric laughed and took a swig of his beer. “The only robe I plan on putting on is a bathrobe.” He let his legs float up, toes breaking through the bubbles. “I’ll be fine. I’m feeling okay being alone, actually. It’s weird to say—I’ve been used to being with someone constantly, but being alone has helped me get back to, well, me.”

“This is your eat, pray, love moment,” Jake said, “except you’re loving yourself.”

I looked to Jake, smiling. My legs were crossed over his under the water, our sides pressed together. I also used to enjoy being alone, but ever since Jake entered the picture, the thought of being alone actually terrified me. I had found my one, my other half, no doubt about it, and I never wanted to let go.

“Such a good book,” Yvette said.

“And movie,” Eric added. “Didn’t read the book.”

Yvette put a scandalized hand to her chest, doing a soap-opera double take in his direction. “In front of your book club?”

Eric dropped his head, shamed.

“I didn’t read the book either,” I said in a stage whisper.

Yvette laughed and sent a splash of hot water in my direction. Eric rolled his neck and stretched, covering his mouth for a yawn that quickly spread throughout the tiny group. Yvette glanced at her watch before she leaned out of the hot tub to grab her towel.

“Alright, boys, I’m heading to bed. That was just too much for me to handle,” Yvette said, shaking her head as she looked between Eric and me like a disappointed mother. Eric stood up, water dripping from his hairy chest.

“I’m going to bed, too. Maybe I can read some chapters before Yvette excommunicates me from the club.”

We told our friends good night and were left alone in the hot tub, the star-filled night sky serving as a twinkling canopy, the sounds of bubbles breaking through water mixing with the sound of cicadas and crickets singing their last notes before clocking out.

“Did you want to go to bed?” Jake asked me, arm around my shoulder.

“Nah, I can stay out here a little longer.”

“Good. Me too.” He kissed the side of my head as his leg slipped through mine. His arm dropped under the water, going around my waist and pulling me onto his thigh. “Have you been having a good night?” he asked, and I couldn’t help but sense a suggestive note in his tone.

“I have,” I answered. A smile spread across my face as I let my head drop back on Jake’s shoulder. “You?”

“Same.” He kissed me again, this time on my cheek. “Any night with you is guaranteed to be a great night.”