Page 169 of Slumming It

So now I was spending those dark and lonely hours serving pancakes and whatever at least four nights a week. I wasn't quite sure it helped, but it was better than crying into my pillow, right?

With Reese firmly out of the picture, public interest in me had finally faded, leaving me free to work in relative peace.Unfortunately, this included the morning of Thanksgiving even though most of my family had arrived at the vacation rental early last night.

I glanced at the clock on the dashboard. It was nearly noon, and I'd gotten off work six hours ago. But rather than drive an hour northward while tired and reeking of syrup, I'd opted to return to the trailer for a quick shower and nap.

Now I felt surprisingly refreshed even if my heart still felt heavy. To my mom, I replied, "Hey, at least I got off work early."

"Iguess." But then she brightened. "How far away are younow?"

I couldn’t help but laugh. "I don't know.Nineminutes? Youdidsay we were eating at four o'clock, right?"

"Yeah, so?"

"So it's not even noon, and Vivian won't get there 'til three." I smiled into the phone. "Don't tell me the turkey's done already."

She laughed. "No, of course not. I'm just anxious to see you, that's all. Weallare."

The sentiment was beyond sweet, but just a little odd. After all, I had seen most of them just yesterday when they'd been packing up to go.

But hey, if nothing else, it was nice to feel wanted, especially with the way I'd been feeling lately.

By the time I got off the phone, I was only a minute away. Soon, I was turning onto the final road, which led to a long, winding driveway surrounded by pine trees on either side.

When the driveway ended, I stopped short at the sight of a dwelling that dwarfed my wildest expectations. The place wasn't just a cabin. It was a full-blown lake house, larger and prettier than I had ever envisioned.

My eyebrows furrowed at the sight. Even with their improved finances, how on Earth could my parents afford such a huge space? Even as a rental, it must've cost a fortune.

And then I saw it – a familiar red Ferrari parked just behind my parents' SUV.

My heart leapt into my throat.Holy crap.

Reesewas here?

But why?

Chapter 67

Reese

From somewhere behind me, Emily's mom said, "Wait! Are we supposed to hide?"

Emily's dad asked, "Why would we hide? She already knows that we're here."

"Yeah, but she doesn't know thathe'shere."

It was Trevor who suggested, "Maybeheshould hide."

With a laugh, Dean replied, "Yeah, but ifhehides, who's gonna meet her at the door. You?"

Trever made a scoffing sound. "Yeah, like she wouldn't findthatsuspicious."

Over the sounds of all of them, her dad said, "Oh, relax. She's already seen the car. It's not likewedrive a Ferrari."

"I test drove a Corvette once," Dean said. "The thing handled like crap in the snow."

"Yeah, but those aresummercars," the dad said. "You're not supposed to drive them in winter."

As they continued to go back and forth, I had to smile. But I didn't turn to look, because I didn't want to miss it, the sight of Emily coming up the walkway. Sure, there was a thick wooden door standing between us, but the door had a nice window, and I was keeping my eyes trained on the glass.