Page 79 of Paging Dr. Summers

“She’ll love the bike, but she’s going to miss you. Weallare.”

I reluctantly let go of her and pointed at the bag on the counter. “There’s a letter for Logan in the bag. It explains everything. Probably too much.” I smiled, knowing she knew what a word vomiter I was.

Eden nodded. “I’ll make sure he gets it.”

“Thank you. I have to go,” I breathed out, fearing if I stayed another minute I would lose my nerve. “Lola’s waiting for me.” That was another goodbye I dreaded.

Eden didn’t try to stop me. “Drive safe, and let me know when you get home.”

“I will. Goodbye,” I barely managed to say.

Eden waved her hand in front of her, seemingly unable to get out the wordgoodbye.

I swallowed the enormous lump in my throat and marched as fast as I could out the door, into the warm late-afternoon air. My feet hit the stairs of the deck, and before I could second-guess myself, I ran—down the steps, across the rocky beach, careful not to trip and fall. I kept my eyes trained on the ground, refusing to glance at the water lapping gently in the background. It held too many amazing memories—ones I wasn’t strong enough to face right then.

Lola waited for me next to my car, her arms wrapped around herself as if she, too, were ready to fall apart. But we had plans to see each other soon. I was going to fly to Philadelphia as soon as she went back to school. She was going to show me all around. We were even going to hit Fishtown, which was known for its music scene.

As soon as I reached my sister, she fell into my arms, and we silently clung to each other. We had already said all the things about how much we hated this situation and how we would miss each other.And even more about how we were sad over all the time we’d lost due to Maxwell’s selfishness. But I didn’t want to talk about him anymore. As far as I was concerned, he was just Lola’s dad, and that was all he would ever be to me.

“This was the most amazing summer ever,” I stuttered out through my sobs.

“You don’t really believe that, do you?” Lola stammered.

“Of course, I do. I have a sister. That’s freaking fantastic. Especially because it’s you.”

She leaned away from me, her pink pouty lips threatening to smile. “I mean, I am kind of amazing.”

I giggled. “You totally are. I’m going to see you soon. So no more crying. I have to drive.”

“Did you get to see Logan?” she hesitated to ask.

I shook my head. “It’s probably better that way. It’s so dramatic and CW, just leaving some memories and a note.” I laughed like that’s how I meant it to be, while my insides felt like they were crumbling.

“I’m sorry things didn’t work out between you two,” Lola offered.

I shrugged, trying not to think about how devastated I was by the same thing. “Who wants a gorgeous doctor who owns a lake house, anyway?” I teased.

“You,” Lola deadpanned.

“Ugh. Yeah, I do. Anyway, come here.” I gave her one more fierce hug. “I love you, Lola.”

“Love you,” she squeaked out.

“Okay, I gotta go.” I let go of her and opened my car door, which creaked something awful. “Call me all the time.” I sounded like such a big sister. “I’m going to call you like a million times on this drive. I’ll let you know when I stop for the night. We’re going to see each other before we know it.”

She nodded, her lower lip quivering.

I shut the door and turned the ignition, and “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac blared through the ancient sound system. It seemed so fitting. It gave me the courage to do what I needed to do. I waved at Lola as I drove off. She bravely waved back.

My heart clenched, but I gripped the steering wheel and took a deep breath. There would be no looking back.

Goodbye, Aspen Lake. Thank you for the memories and the magic.

WHEN I PULLED UP THE drive, the sight of Brooke’s bike propped against the garage made me breathe a sigh of relief. She was there. That thought alone was comforting. All I wanted to do was wrap myself up with her for the rest of the day and beg her to give me a chance to be more than just her summer fling. Of course, after I profusely apologized to her for leaving. The timing was horrible—I knew that—but I would make it up to her. I hoped she would forgive me.

I walked into the house, feeling an immense weight lifted off my shoulders. It was the first time since I’d bought the place that it felt like home and not just somewhere I was hiding from Erica’s memory, searching for solace. I wondered if Brooke would want to go furniture shopping with me. It was about time I started making the place my own. I smiled, thinking of Brooke picking out concert posters as wall art. Maybe they would work for my home gym.

As I walked through the great room, part of me fully expected her to come running and throw her arms around me like nothing had happened. It was a selfish thought, especially after the way I’d left her in her time of need. But this was Brooke. She had this amazing ability to bounce back and forgive like no one I’d ever known before. Not that I took that for granted. I just wanted her in my arms. We had a lot to talk about. She would forgive me, right?

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