“So,” Emily says from behind me a few minutes later. I turn to face her, and she’s leaning against the counter. “What are you up to tonight?”

Damn it, Duke.

“Working,” I say, going for bland and ignoring the stutter in the middle of my chest. Nothing good can come of it. Nothing good can come of it. Nothing good can come of it.

“Right. I know. But after work. Want to come pick me up?”

“I rode my bike,” I say. My stomach clenches, knowing what her next words will be. What her next words always are.

“I’ll come get you, then. We can go for a drive.”

A drive. To Harlow Lake or Wetmore Landing or some other secluded spot where we can get into trouble and then she’ll go back to ignoring me tomorrow.

Not today.

She walks up to me, slow and easy. “Pleeease, Micah?”

“Where’s Tyler?” I ask, taking another step back.

A puzzled crease folds between her fine eyebrows. “Who?”

“That guy you were hanging with last week?”

“Oh! You mean Taylor. He’s on vacation with his family. Some cabin on Lake Michigan. He’s says it’s got a—”

“Em,” I interrupt. “I wasn’t asking for details. I was proving a point.”

“Look,” she says. “Just because we didn’t work out as a couple doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”

“Friends?” I ask, my voice strained.

“With benefits,” she adds. “We were always real good at the benefits…”

“I’m—” The door jangles open, and I’m shocked to see the stripy-haired girl from the point. Thank God.

“Hey!” I greet with too much enthusiasm. “Um, M-Meg?” I’m practically running to the front of the store, startling the girl. Her eyes are wide with recognition.

“Grumpy Micah?”

“Ha!” I choke out a hysterical laugh. “That’s me. Welcome to UpNorth Outfitters!”

“Thank you?” she says, and her head whips around, the blunt ends of her hair flaring around her shoulders as she checks to see if there is someone else behind her.

I hold out a hand. “So good to see you.”

“Okay,” she says weakly. After a beat, she shakes my offered hand. Formally. Her hand is so tiny. She is so tiny. I hadn’t noticed earlier, with her standing and me sitting, but she couldn’t be more than five feet even.

“What can I help you find? I’m so glad you came,” I say loudly. “Remember when you said you’d owe me one?” I whisper.

“I was being flippant,” she whispers back.

“Please play along,” I beg. “It will only take a minute, and I’ll give you a free ice cream cone.” Her lips crush together for a long second before her face smooths and she shrugs lightly as if to say, “Oh, why not?” while still holding my hand. Because I haven’t let go yet. I release her immediately.