Well, then, expect a visit from me and your father at some point while we’re there. This is getting ridiculous.
Me
Should I find somewhere else to stay while you’re in town? I’m guessing you’ll want the lake house to yourself.
Mum
No. There’s a beautiful hotel in Portland I’ve been itching for an excuse to stay at.
I sigh and tuck my phone in my pocket.
I’m going to see my parents.
It’s been so long.
A mix of emotions present themselves—anxiety, sadness, and even a little excitement. Because even if we don’t see eye to eye, they’re still my parents, and I love them.
But I’m guessing after they see me, they won’t go back to Australia without me. Not easily, at least.
Ingrid waves at me when I come through the front door. She’s flipping a grilled cheese at the stove that makes my stomach rumble.She’s really gotten good at the cooking thing.“About time you showed your face around here,” she says.
“Nice to see you too, sis.”
“Yes, well, I have to admit it’s been lonely. Having the house to myself has made me realize you technically count as company.”
I laugh. But it fades too soon, and Ingrid must notice.
She narrows her eyes at me. “What is it?”
“What is what?”
“That look on your face. I think it might be defeat, but I’ve never seen it on you, so I can’t be sure.”
“It isnotdefeat.”
Ingrid’s eyes widen as she points a finger at me. “It’s defeat!”
I sigh.
“Tell me what’s happened.”
I launch into the story of my time at camp with Romilly. Though I know it will cause Ingrid to gag dramatically, I don’t exclude the bit about that searing kiss between us after the kayak dumped us into the water. When I get to the part about Romilly needing space, Ingrid frowns thoughtfully. She rubs her spatula back and forth under her chin without seeming to realize it.
“Poor thing. She’s just afraid,” she says simply.
I hold my palms out. “How do I show her she doesn’t need to be?”
“Well, stop giving her space, for one. You’re basically giving up, and that’s exactly what she’s worried will happen when things get serious between you two.”
I arch an eyebrow. “When?”
“Yes.When.I’ve never seen you so hung up on anyone before, so things are clearly already serious for you.”
I grunt in response. “So you’re saying I need to go back to smothering her?”
She snorts. “Believe me, you weren’t smothering her. Otherwise she wouldn’t be freaking out. Whatever you were doing before was working. Just keep doing it.”
I mull over her words. It sounds simple enough, but the problem is I’m not even sure what I was doing to begin with. I haven’t been playing any game. What’s happening between me and Romilly is genuine. And I think that’s why it’s so hard for me to see things from a distance like Ingrid can.
