“I have been meaning to go back for a weekend,” she reasoned out loud. “I haven’t seen my parents in forever, and they’ve been on my case to come home for a visit.” Which was true.

“Really?” Clara exclaimed. “That would be so amazing! And you’re from there, so you’ll have all kinds of insider info.” She turned to her brother. She must’ve been able to tell, as Eve could, that Sawyer was not 100 percent down with this plan. “Oh, come on, Sawyer. Please?”

Eve shot Sawyer an apologetic look. She’d been trying to do his bidding, with the charades, but she’d ended up backing him into a corner.

“I guess I can add a night to the hotel and meet you there on Saturday.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Not at all.” She was looking forward to hanging out with Clara—and maybe getting an update on Miss Not Theoretical. “And don’t extend your reservation. Clara and I can stay at my parents’ place. We’ll leave here early Friday morning, check out some residences during the day, and then do something fun.”

“Oh! Oh!” Clara was practically vibrating with excitement. “Can we go to the Science Centre?”

“We sure can.” She shared an amused look with Sawyer. Their girl was such an adorable nerd.

No, wait. His girl. Not their girl.

Whoa. Where had that come from?

Later that evening Sawyer and Jake were in his garage working on the canoe when Law showed up. He was carrying a bottle, which he proceeded to open with a corkscrew he pulled from his pocket.

“Wine?” Sawyer asked. That was unusual.

“Cider. French style, but local. I’m thinking of adding it at the bar. Let me know what you think.”

“Well, aren’t you getting fancy?” Sawyer said.

Law shrugged. “Just trying to keep up with the times.” Once everyone had started drinking, he eyed the canoe critically. “Is that pink paint?”

It was indeed pink paint. They were painting a hot-pink stripe around the entire boat. That had always been the plan, and Sawyer saw no reason to change it now.

“Eve’s favorite color,” Jake said when it became clear that Sawyer wasn’t going to answer.

“What the hell is going on with you and Eve?” Law said. “And don’t say nothing.”

Sawyer sighed. “I tried to kiss her, and things are getting weird.”

Law cracked up.

“Well, that’s helpful.”

“What do you mean you tried?” Law asked.

“I was about to do it, but it didn’t work out.”

“You’re going to have to get a little more specific than that.”