[2024 WATTYS SHORTLISTED] [18+]
In the picturesque lakeside town, the calm waters mask the storm within Juniper Jenkins' heart. Betrayed and broken by her cheating boyfriend, she flees to the sanctuary of her friend's lakeside house, to work remotel...
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I slowly turn to my side in the plush comforter of the bed, feeling the soft warmth of morning sunlight filtering through the curtains, casting a gentle, golden glow across the room. I can't help but smile.
Being here at the lake, in this house, it's my happy place. This room has always been my favorite. It might be one of the smaller ones, but it's just perfect for me. The walls are covered in white shiplap boards, with old vintage picture frames on the walls. The hardwood floors are old and well-loved, creaking with each step. With its comfortable king-size bed and an en-suite bathroom, it's my cozy haven.
The house itself is a beautiful, old yet remodeled, massive A-frame-styled home, nestled right on the lake. The backyard stretches long, and a wooden dock extends invitingly into the crystal-clear waters.
With Ellis's parents owning gyms scattered throughout the Seattle area, their family is, well, pretty wealthy. They own three homes in Washington alone. Among them, this house is by far my favorite. It's home away from home, but actually better than my real home.
Ellis was right about coming here though. It's a perfect way to get over Beckett and stop fixating on every little detail. I have a few months to relax and clear my mind before I need to start thinking about what to do once I get home. Although now, I find myself unable to stop replaying everything that transpired yesterday.
Ugh, and now he's going to be stuck in my head all day, with thoughts like:
Am I going to have trust issues from now on? That's how that works, right? What's my mom going to say when I finally tell her? What will his mom say? I should probably call them both soon. Did other people know about this before I did? Did his friends know? I hope he remembers to water my plants; those were really expensive.
My expression drops, and I instinctively reach for my phone resting on the bedside table. The screen lights up reading 5:45 a.m. Even though it's ridiculously early, my mind already refuses to switch off.
I rub my chest, feeling the weight of it all, as I slip out of my bed and make my way to the bathroom, where I quickly brush my teeth and wash my face. Returning to my room, I change into workout shorts, throw on a tank top, and lace up my running shoes.
I don't really like running but today it's an attempt to clear my head, though it proves to be a challenge. I make my way into town, I find myself stopping along the quaint Main Street area. Just on this street alone, there's an ice cream parlor, a hardware store, a bookstore, a bar, a flower shop, and, of course, Hansen's Coffee Roasters.
I pass by Hansen's, and I notice a younger woman flipping the closed sign to open, but thankfully, there's no sign of Wells, which suits me just fine. I've decided to steer clear of Hansen's Coffee for the summer. If I've successfully avoided him the last few summers, I can certainly do the same now.
Plus, it's been nice not having him in the office or around in general– pens always where I leave them, my desk in order, and no outfits being criticized.
