Page 42 of Kiss and Tell
“No. The new lake cabins and my house are it.”
My mind quiets a bit, but the confusion still swirls even if the anxiety has ebbed. “Then…”
“One of the old counselors tagged me in a photo dump on Facebook last year. I went to untag myself, but then I got caught up in all the pictures. It made me wonder how Oak Crest was doing, so I looked it up, and the website said it was for sale. So I bought it.”
I blink at him. “Just like that?”
He lifts and drops a shoulder. “I knew if I didn’t, another developer would, only he’d turn it into a subdivision or something depressing. I had this gut reaction, like, nope, can’t let it happen. It didn’t make a lot of sense at the time, but I went with it.”
“Does it make any more sense now?”
“Yeah.”
I wait for more, but he stays quiet. “That’s it? ‘Yeah,’ with no explanation?”
“You know what camp is like. Would you let it go if you had the choice?”
Okay, that got me. “You bought it because you wanted to save it?”
“Partially. It did cross my mind you might have a reason to talk to me again.”
I didn’t love the idea of a guy with deep pockets manipulating a woman with flashy purchases. I loathed the idea if it was Sawyer and me. “What if you knew up front I wasn’t going to speak to you again no matter what. Would you still have bought it?”
“Yes.”
No hesitation. Good. “Will Natalie and Ben have a job tomorrow if I say I don’t want to rebuild our friendship and I walk away right now?”
“Tab, even at my worst, have you ever known me to be a guy who would treat my best friends like that?” His voice is tight.
I let my fork clatter to my plate, giving him time to rethink his words. Has he forgotten why we haven’t spoken in forever?
He clears his throat. “Uh, right. That was stupid. Their jobs are safe. They’re part-owners, anyway, if it makes you feel better.”
“Marginally.” I pick up my fork and twirl some noodles.
“I’ll restate that. I bought itmostlyto save it. The possibility of apologizing to you face to face was only a perk, not a reason for buying the camp. I also knew Ben was miserable in DC, so I asked if he and Natalie wanted to run it. A lawyer and a therapist with years of experience here? It couldn’t be more perfect. They jumped at it.”
“They’re happy,” I say. And since he’s been open, I add, “I’m glad you bought it. There’s something comforting about knowing Oak Crest will continue.”
“Did it hurt to admit that?” he teases.
“Don’t ruin the moment.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He eats more Alfredo. “This is amazing, by the way.”
“Thanks.” I’m still mulling his answers. It makes sense based on the Sawyer I knew. But there are blanks I’ve always wanted filled in. “I’ve kept tabs on you over the years.”
He pauses and quirks an eyebrow at me. “How? Nat and Ben said you don’t even like to hear my name. They were pretty sure my plan to surprise you this week would end in murder. I think they escaped so they don’t have to testify against you in court. Tell them I said cremation and spread my ashes on the lake.”
I nod, considering this. “What if my plan is to butcher and bury you? I’ve got skills.”
“As long as it’s on the grounds, I can live with it.”
“No, you can’t. You’ll be dead.”
He gives a single, soft laugh. “Then bury me somewhere with a lake view or Oak Crest is getting a new ghost.”
I smile, remembering the countless conversations we’d had like this, our give-and-take usually leaving everyone else confused. “I’m not going to murder you.”
