Page 48 of Kiss and Tell
“I’m not trying to replace her,” he says. “I’ll tell her so myself. I just want us to have time to find our own vibe as friends, so we’re not doomed to awkward small talk over juice boxes at Juniper’s next birthday.”
“I appreciate what you’re saying, but this week is crazy. I’ve got so much prep to do for the gala, and—”
“Confession.”
The word stops me short. “You havemoreto confess?”
“I never intended for you to run the kitchen this week. Lisa is extremely good. She ran the food services for the local county schools until she went to culinary school and became a chef. She’s going to do an amazing job, and you can help her or not. Whatever you want. But I’m hoping you’ll give me three dates over the next three days.”
“Dates?” I get an anxious, panicky feeling in my chest.
“Friend dates.Hangs,” he says, “three hangs to reconnect. Rebuild. At the end of the week, if you feel like we should stay small-talk-over-juice-box friends, I’ll accept it.”
I’m almost tempted. Almost. The idea of the four of us being as close as we were, it’s appealing. But it’s wishful thinking, and not the kind of thing that gets fixed in a week. Also, he’d be basically paying me $25,000 to just chill. No way.
I climb to my feet and smile down at him. “I have an early start tomorrow. Let’s call tonight a win and work our way up from juice boxes.” I’m about to leave when I add, “Thanks for doing this, Sawyer. It feels good to clear the air. Pop into the kitchen anytime this week. I can talk and work at the same time.”
Then I do start up the dock.
“Tabitha Winters?” His low, warm voice calls after me when I’m halfway back to the shore.
I stop and turn. “Yes?”
He stands and slides his hands into his pockets. “I double-dog dare you.”
“What?” I repeat. He didnotjust—
“I double-dog dare you to give me this week. At the end of our third hang, we end up back here, on this dock. If you’re not convinced, then I say a polite hello to you over a future juice box.”
I laugh. I can’t help it. “I can’t believe I’m even considering this. You’re literally trying to buy my friendship.”
“Earn it,” he corrects, hope in his eyes. “Is that a yes?”
I stare across the lake, thinking. I’ve been an adult in every area of my life except this one for years. It’s time, I realize. I’m grown up enough to be an adult about this part too.
“Tabitha?” He’s moved closer now, and he touches my elbow. It’s light. He’s not trying to keep me there or take hold of me. It’s like he can’t help it.
And I know. I know from the second I can sense each individual ridge of the whorls on his fingertip brushing against the soft skin above my elbow. I know even before the goosebumps break out despite the warm night air.
I drop my hands and turn to him with a smile because I’m almost laughing at myself. This is ridiculous. “Okay, Sawyer.”
One corner of his mouth turns up. “Yes?”
“It’s a double-dog dare. Of course it’s a yes.”
Chapter 16
Igetupearlyagain the next morning and go to my tiny front deck to do yoga stretches and greet the sun. And think. And think. Then I think some more. About how strange it is to feel okay toward Sawyer. But also how normal it is. I need to debrief with Natalie.
I dress and let myself into the camp kitchen again. Lisa is already there, prepping to feed the small army of counselors. “I hear you’re a ringer, and you don’t need me in here all week.”
She pauses in whisking a huge bowl of eggs. “I enjoyed you?” It’s unconvincing.
“No, you didn’t. I stressed you out, and you didn’t need me to teach any of the stuff I was teaching you.”
She gives me the best imitation of a deer in the headlights I’ve ever seen.
“It’s fine, Lisa. You did a great job of playing along. You’ll do fine at Camp Oak Crest.”
