Page 77 of Play For Keeps

“You’re awake.”

“I have been for a while. Talk to me, Ev. Are you leaving?”

My eyes meet his. “I don’t know. I just… I may not have a choice.”

“When?”

“I haven’t made any decisions. I’m just looking at options,” I say, closing my laptop. “I know Grant, and he meant it this time. I can’t lose her…”

“And you won’t,” he says, sounding certain.

“Jake, you don’t know that, and you don’t know my ex. I’m trying hard to stay calm about this, but I’m scared. I need to figure things out.”

He sits up slowly, careful not to wake Birdie, and I have to fight the tears that so desperately want to fall.

“I’m going to put her to bed,” he says softly. “I’ll be right back.”

Jake holds Birdie close to his chest and walks down the hall that leads to her bedroom. When he returns a few minutes later, he sinks to the couch beside me and gathers me in his arms, holding me against his chest.

“I’m sorry, Ev.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“That you’re in this position.” He moves me so my legs are draped over his lap. “It’s not fair. I know you’ve been happy here.”

He’s right. I haven’t been this happy in a long time. I was lost when I came to Reed Point. Then I met Jake. We were only supposed to be friends, and somewhere along the way, I fell for him.

“I don’t want to go.” A tear finally falls, and he swipes it away.

“I don’t want you to go either,” he says, cupping my face in his hands.

“Will we lose you?”

“No chance. I care about the two of you too much to ever let that happen.” Jake’s lips part and he kisses me.

“Is Birdie sleeping?”

“Out like a light.”

“Take me to bed, Jake. I need you.”

He smiles softly, standing with me in his arms. “I’m going to make you forget about everything.”

“I know you will.”

And he does. For a little while.

“Don’t be nervous. They’re going to love you.” Jake says, taking my hand as we walk the driveway to Sierra’s house.

“I hope so.”

He winks. “They will.”

His sister is having us over for dinner along with a bunch of Jake’s friends, and although I haven’t been in the best frame of mind lately, I told him I would go. I know it’s important to Jake that I meet his friends, and it’s important to me too.

We dropped Birdie off at my parents’ place on the way over, and Jake finally got to meet my mom and dad. We stayed for coffee and my mom’s famous banana bread and ended up sitting in the family room talking for a while. My dad did most of the talking; my mom had difficulty wiping the smile from her face. As we were leaving, she took me aside and told me Jake was a keeper. Of course, I already knew that, but it still made me happy to know that she likes him.

“This street is a hidden gem. I can’t believe I’ve never driven down here,” I say to Jake, taking in the expanse of beach right across the street from Sierra’s house. I can see why she loves it here on Haven Harbor.

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