“Yes, given everything,” I say.
She nods. “You’ll have plenty of time to plan a spring wedding for next year. I’d be delighted to host a dinner for you. Or a brunch if you prefer.”
She turns to Grace as I try to figure out how this conversation got so far off the rails. “Grace, dear, a bridal shower would be loveliest of all. I’m sure your mother will want to throw it, but will you assure her I’d be delighted to offer up my home?”
“Excuse me.” I’ve wandered into a parallel universe where people are having conversations about my life that make no sense. “I’m not getting married.”
She is, Grace mouths.
“Stop that.” I give her a stern look.
“Where is he, by the way?” Miss Lily asks, glancing around as if it’s only now occurred to her that we’re missing my fiancé.
“At the camp.”
“He didn’t want to come home with you for a visit?” She frowns, like she might be changing her position on this wedding that is absolutely not a thing.
“He did,” I admit, not willing to throw him under the bus when he can’t defend himself. “I didn’t invite him.”
“Tabitha,” Grace says on a groan.
“Is there something wrong with him, some reason you wouldn’t want to bring him to meet your family?” Miss Lily asks.
“No, of course not.”
“I don’t see anything ‘of course’ about it.” Her gaze is narrowing. This has never been good news.
“There’s nothing wrong with him. He’s smart, funny, successful, handsome. You’d love him.”
Grace responds to this by throwing her hands out as if to say,Well? Where is he?
“We are onlyfriends.” I try to articulate the feeling that kept me from bringing Sawyer along. “It’s been great spending time with him.AtOak Crest. The last few days have given meclosure.”
Miss Lily frowns slightly at “closure.”
“Can you give him my number?” Taylor calls from behind the counter. “I’ll marry him.”
Miss Lily looks from the pretty café owner to me. “I’d venture to guess Taylor has not by any means been his first offer in the last several years.”
“Probably not,” I agree.
“I’ve seen him. Definitely not,” Grace says.
Miss Lily takes a drink from her teacup, her eyes steady on me as she returns it to the saucer. “You didn’t bring him with you because you’re afraid.”
“I…what? No.”
“You are,” she says, not at all ruffled that I’ve contradicted her. “What frightens you more: discovering the two of you exist outside of your summer camp memories? Or discovering you don’t?”
Grace’s eyes grow big, and her lips form a silent O before she mouths,Mic. Drop.
Miss Lily pats my hand. “I’m sorry, dear. I would normally help you figure that out over the course of a month or so, but since you’re only here for the afternoon, we’ve got to do the AP version. I’ll stop tormenting you, but I leave you to consider that question. You’re afraid to put something to the test. You should ask yourself why.”
She glances toward the window. “The rain has stopped. Shall we head to the cemetery?”
Grace and I rise and follow her outside, listening to her gentle rambles as we walk. She’s telling us about the graves she’ll visit, and her memories of the three local men killed during World War II. I’ve always loved Miss Lily’s stories, but I’m barely able to follow from one to the next as her question chases itself through my mind.
I’m not afraid to put anything to the test. I proved that by coming to Camp Oak Crest at all. I’d laid my ghosts to rest before I knew Sawyer was there.
