When August Ends(29)

“I can live on my own,” my mother said.

“We’ve already had this discussion. It’s not that I don’t think you could live on your own most days, but you need to be around people. You need to have someone looking out for you even on days when you don’t need it. And there’s no way I would leave you alone, because some days you do need it, so there’s that.”

“I can’t stop you from going. I know that. I’ve kept you here long enough.”

My eyes began to water. “It’s really hard for me to think about leaving.”

She reached her hand out to me. “I know. You’re a good girl…my angel.”

“We still have plenty of time. And thanks to Noah, it’s looking like we might actually be able to sell this place. So everything is going according to plan.”

We were quiet for a bit. Then she said, “Noah really has turned out to be a godsend, hasn’t he?”

“I’m glad you’ve learned to trust him, Mom.”

“I might trust him, but I still think he has feelings for you.”

“I’m not sure what you’re basing that on.”

Actually, today was the first day I’d thought she could be right. But I wasn’t a hundred-percent convinced I wasn’t reading into things too much. He’d touched my cheek, not my clit, for heaven’s sake. Maybe he’d just seen that I was upset with myself and was trying to make me feel better. Still, my gut told me there was something to the electricity I felt when he touched me, even if it was just my face.

“You do know you two have been gardening right outside my bedroom window, right? I’ve listened to your conversations. He genuinely likes you.”

“He likes me, yes, but not in that way. He likes me like a little sister.”

“No way I’m buying that, Heather. He might have chosen not to act on it, and in many ways, I commend him for that. But he most definitely has feelings for you.”

What was wrong with me that hearing her say that gave me goosebumps? Am I delusional? Was this entire day one big hallucination? Even if Noah were developing feelings for me and somehow made it known today, he was leaving, and now so was I.

Besides, I still didn’t think Noah would ever cross that line.

“You know…he’s divorced,” I said.

“Really? Some stupid woman let that man go?”

“I know, right?” I chuckled. “He takes a lot of the blame for their marriage ending. He said he put his career first a lot in his twenties and neglected their relationship. He recognizes his mistakes, though, and I have a feeling the lucky woman who nabs him next is going to reap the benefits of that.”

***

That evening at Jack Foley’s Pub, I was busy obsessing over Noah when an old, familiar face turned up in my section.

He seemed happy to see me. “Heather?”

It was a guy I’d gone to high school with, one I hadn’t seen in a few years. He was one year ahead of me.

“Oh my God…Jared!” I hugged him.

Jared Mackenzie had always been smart, and everyone was super impressed when he’d gotten into Harvard.

“It’s so good to see you,” he said.

“You, too. You don’t usually come home for the summer, do you? I haven’t seen you since you graduated.”

He frowned. “My father is sick, so I’m not working the usual summer job I keep in Cambridge.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Yeah, lung cancer.”

My stomach dropped. “That’s tough. I’m really sorry.”

That reminded me things could always be worse. My mother was severely depressed, but at least she was physically healthy.

“It’s been a rough summer, but running into you tonight is a nice surprise.”

“Likewise.” I smiled. “So, what’s it like to be almost finished with school? One more year, right?”

“Yeah. It’s surreal how fast time flies. I hope to stay in Boston for grad school. So, it’ll be a while before I have to face the real world and find a job.”

“What’s your major again?”

“Neuroscience. I’d like to become a medical researcher.”

“Right. I remember it being something easy.” I winked and caught myself twirling my hair, which I often did when I was feeling flirtatious.

Jared laughed. “Listen, I’ve pretty much been sitting by my dad’s bedside every day, and at night I just need a breather. I haven’t wanted to hang out with the people from school or go drinking. But I would love to go somewhere and talk—have a good conversation and a good meal. Would you want to hang out sometime?”

I was surprised, but I couldn’t find one reason to say no. “That would be great.”

“Can I admit something?” he asked.

“Sure.”

“When I heard you and Eric broke up, I might have done a little fist pump.”

I covered my mouth. “Really?”

“I also might have had a pretty intense crush on you in high school, but you were always taken.”

My heart fluttered. “I would’ve never known that. You were always so busy playing lacrosse or with your nose buried in books. I never sensed anything.”