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“I don’t think so.” I rip the lid off. “If he wants to leave, fine. He knows I can’t just up and go to Vermont with him, so he’s clearly made his decision.”

“Why can’t you go?”

I stare at her. “That would be really mature of me. I’d have to quit my job and ask my brother for money once again. I just got here! My life was finally getting back on track.”

She pulls a face. “You’re right, that’s not a great option. But I still think you two can figure it out. He hasn’t signed any papers yet, you know.”

I shake my head. “I don’t want him to take pity on me and stay. He’s got to figure this out all on his own. Worst case, I marry Zeke. He’s even got a wedding dress and everything. It’s easy, cheap, and hassle-free.”

Maggie bursts out laughing. “You can’t be serious, Elle. Zeke? The guy with the post-date questionnaire? Please don’t tell me you’re considering it.”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I could still send him the questionnaire.”

“Stop. You’re being ridiculous.”

“Am I?”

“Yes,” she shouts. “I know you’re still in love with my brother. I can see the way you look at him when he sneaks into the house and heads to his room.”

“My repulsion for him is stronger than my love,” I bite back, even though I know it’s not Maggie’s fault I’m in this giant pickle.

The worst thing is that she’s right. I’m still head over heels for her brother. It’s torturous to ignore him, but I can’t help it. He hurt me. I thought he would stay, for me. I don’t care if that sounds naïve. I didn’t expect him to cancel all his moving plans for me, but I did think he’d at least involve me in them or tell me he’d made an offer on a house. Isn’t that what you do in a relationship? Talk to each other, especially about major stuff? The first days after the revelation in the pool, I thought he would do something crazy, like those romantic grand gestures you see in romance movies all the time. Of course, that didn’t happen, making me feel even more foolish than I already did.

I scoop a royal amount of ice cream out of the carton and stuff my mouth with it.

“Well, as long as you know that I don’t want to be forced by either of you to take a side in this. I want to be here for you and support you, but I don’t want to get involved and lose one of you two.”

“Don’t worry. Our relationship is deader than my split ends at the end of summer,” I say, not even sure if I mean that. Still, I’m too angry to even consider hearing him out.

“Feel free to keep moping around,” she says.

“But?”

“You’re going back to work soon. I can’t possibly ask Tanner for another note. He’ll flat out refuse.”

I sigh. “I know. I appreciate your efforts.”

She gets up. “Are you going to be okay? I’ve got to run. My colleagues are throwing a surprise party for my boss’ birthday.”

“Of course. Go. I’ll be fine.”

The house bathes in silence without her around. I don’t have a clue where Colton is. Not that I care. He’s probably out with Tyler.

An uneasy feeling hits me in the gut. Gosh, I hope he’s not trying to numb his sorrows by dating another girl. Ugh, why couldn’t he have been honest with me? I already knew he was thinking about moving, so he could’ve just as easily told me he’d been looking at houses and putting in offers.

I grab Zeke’s post-date questionnaire from my bedside table, pondering my options. If I fill this out, I’ll face a lifetime of conversations about baby teeth and molars. Plus, I don’t even think he’s planning on ever leaving his mother’s house.

Who am I kidding? As if I’d go out with him when I’m in love with someone else. Someone who’s perfect and who gets me. I crumple the paper before throwing it in the garbage bin. I’d rather be single and miserable than in a relationship and miserable.

My phone rings. I consider not answering, but it could be important, so I accept the call.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Elle. It’s Frank, from the park.”

“Oh, hi.”

“So, uhm, yeah, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”