Chapter 11: Lake House

The lake house sat at the end of a long gravel road.

It had a porch on three sides and a dock reaching out over slate-colored water.

Geoffrey parked beside Brandon's truck.

"He's here already," I said.

"He's been here since morning. Grandma likes to be first at everything."

"And Candice?"

"She came up with him."

I looked at the truck, and a small cold doubt settled in my stomach and stayed.

Odette met us on the porch in a heavy cardigan and hugged Geoffrey first, then me.

"Separate rooms," she said, in my ear. "Don't think I'm a fool. Upstairs left, the blue one."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Dinner's tomorrow at six. Tonight, you swim or you sleep or you sit on the dock. I'm going to do a crossword."

It was a long afternoon.

Brandon was charm itself.

He made drinks and carried my bag.

He told Odette a story about a lacrosse game and laughed in all the right places.

Every time Geoffrey walked into a room, Brandon went on smiling and his eyes didn't.

Candice stayed beside him.

She would not look at me.

At dusk I went down to the dock alone to breathe.

The water was still, and the first stars had come out over the pines.

A board creaked behind me.

"Mira."

I didn't turn around.

"I know you're mad," Brandon said. "I've been a jerk. I'm sorry."

"Okay."

"I mean it. I need you to hear it. I miss you."

"Brandon."

"Come to dinner tomorrow as my girl, and I'll give you whatever you want. I'll tell Grandma the truth afterward. I swear."

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