Love Fool (One Night Only Season 2: Hunter's Story)

Chapter Six

Paisley leaves for Brooke's camp soon after I get back from my encounter on the road with Deni. Words aren't enough to express how thankful I am when she tells our parents she won't be back until tonight. This means she won't be here when Deni arrives for our afternoon on the lake, so she won't be pestering us while playing private investigator to feed her fantasy of spending the summer next door to someone famous.

There is still the matter of alerting my parents that I'll also be gone for the afternoon and taking the pedal boat with me. It isn't unusual for me to take the boat out, but they like to know when I'll be doing it and when I expect to be back. The parent I want to mention this to is my dad, who is less likely to ask questions about what part of the lake I plan to go to and if anyone will be with me. This, of course, means he leaves to help Hank Reid chop down a tree on the Reid's property before I bring it up.

That leaves Mom. There could be questions.

I don't mind my parents knowing I have plans with Deni today, but Mom reads me like an open book. She seemed a little too happy about how much time Deni and I spent together at the bonfire, and the hints she's been dropping about how delightful she found Deni and Lia aren't subtle. She's on to me every bit as much as Paisley is, and she may also be trying to play matchmaker.

I love my family, but I would like to keep my interest in our new neighbor to myself for now. Dealing with Paisley's questions and observations today were enough, and there's every possibility this interest is one-sided. Deni may only see me as a lake buddy for the summer. This is why I wait until a few minutes before she's supposed to arrive before announcing my plans.

"I'm going to take the boat out for a while." I purposely choose that moment to open the fridge and hunt for a couple of bottled waters so I don't have to look at Mom. "I'll be back before supper."

I shut the fridge door and scan the counters for the other thing I want to bring with me, which is the portable waterproof radio. Music is always good to have on hand in case our conversation wanes, which I hope it won't. It's better to be prepared, though, and I'm not bringing my phone because I don't want to risk dropping it in the water. That happened last summer. If I do it again, I could end up without a phone until I move away for university.

"You should see if Deni wants to go with you," Mom says. "She might like to see other parts of the lake."

Is her suggestion a coincidence, or has she figured out that Deni will be with me and wants me to fess up? It's difficult to tell. Either way, I'm busted.

"Already on it." I stuff the waters and the radio in a plastic bag, and then make a break for the door. "She'll be here in a few minutes. See you in a while."

I let myself outside before Mom can reply, and then make my way down to the shoreline to get the boat ready. Once I've placed the bag with the water and radio in the back of the boat, along with two lifejackets, I get to work cleaning the front seats of a few leaves that have found their way there.

I've just untied the ropes tethering the boat to a tree when approaching footsteps alert me to Deni's arrival. I drop the last rope to the ground and glance up to see her heading my way. She's changed into shorts, a cropped T-shirt, and cat-eye sunglasses since I last saw her this morning.

I wish I could see her eyes. Paisley was correct about me being mesmerized last night, and most of that came from our eye contact and how expressive Deni's eyes are. Then again, if I'm going to pay attention to steering the boat, I probably don't need the extra distraction.

"Hey," I call out, once she's a few steps closer. "You're right on time."

"Would you have left without me if I'd been late?" she quips.