Chapter 8

“I really am partly homesick. Mostly it’s because I’ve always known one day Jessie would burn the house down. Maybe it hasn’t happened because I was here? Adam’s friends are worse than he is. And you’re at the garage more than the house,” she said gesturing to the cot in the corner of his office.

“You know, Adam may be a year older, but he looks to you for answers. Not only does he take after you in some ways but he picks up where you leave off, every time you’re gone,” he explained.

Jane had always gotten along better with Adam than any of her other brothers. Still, she was surprised that he had accepted her responsibilities in her absence.

“Alright, I’ll try to chill out,” Jane tried to appease him.

“Yes you will; lakeside. This is your last visit home. I’m officially kicking you outta the house until September.” Jane gave her father a look of horror and he continued, “Don’t look at me like that, I still love you. I just want you to have a life outside of this garage. Can you do that?”

June flew by as it always did. The fourth of July was complete madness for anyone that worked at the Lake House. While Mike had thrown his own party of sorts for the locals, it was a business tradition to make tourists feel like they were lucky to be in on a private event. While it was still a party for employees and their families, they were still working to an extent. Up at the lake, the 4th lasted practically a whole week; it was almost over.

It was the Friday the 6th and things were just barely starting to die down when a family of four sat in Jane’s section. As soon as she greeted them, the son Todd ignored his family, openly flirting with her. Jane kept it professional in front of them but if he made a move without them around, she was going to let it happen.

The last guy she had sex with was her ex; almost a month and a half ago. She wasn’t familiar with the idea of casual sex in the traditional sense but it was going to happen sooner than later.

When she returned with their orders she noticed Todd’s sister, Rachel staring at something hungrily. Following her gaze, she wasn’t surprised to see it was Evan that had her attention. She asked the table if they were good for the time being before heading straight over to him.

“Super cutie at one of my tables has been eyeing you,” Jane told him.

He looked up from whatever he was writing at the bar and said, “I noticed, that’s not her boyfriend next to her?”

“He better not be because he’s been looking at me like I’m on the menu.”

Evan smiled, “That bodes well for both of us then,” he said.

“So, what’s the move exactly?” Jane asked, hoping he wouldn’t tease her for needing help.