The Lake (The Lake Trilogy, Book 1) by AnnaLisa Grant

really enjoy the work I’m doing with your uncle. My dad knows that and hates it. He thinks that kind of work is for people who don’t have any other options. He only lets me come here because he won’t let me get a real job.” He shakes his head. “The real issue is that I only have a few months to figure out what I’m going to do,” he says almost to himself. He doesn’t sound like he has a clue what his answer might be.
    I feel bad for him and I don’t know what to say. My parents never had an issue with anything I did. Even if they were still alive today, I don’t think they would have cared all that much if I chose to go to college or not.
    By this time we’re in almost complete darkness trying to follow the flagstone path back to the house. I stumble and Will catches me, for the second time today. “Here, give me your hand, just in case you stumble again. I’d hate to miss catching you.” I take his hand without a word or hesitation. It’s just as I remember it – strong, but gentle.
    He holds my hand with such assurance, and I know he won’t let me fall. The same surge of nervousness that I felt earlier rushes through me again. My heart races so fast I can barely breathe , but with each step we take it subsides because holding Will’s hand feels strangely normal. Like our hands were meant to fit together.
    We make it back to the patio unscathed where there is a little bit of light coming from the kitchen. I grab my purse off the patio table and try the door. It’s unlocked. Will walks in behind me, and I walk him to the front door as an easier, better-lit course to his car. I open the front door and stand with him on the porch.
    “Thank you…for today.  I mean…for introducing me to your friends. They’re really great. And…for tonight. It was nice… I had a really nice time.” I feel the blood rushing to my cheeks as I think about how it felt to hold Will’s hand and wish I could tell him that nice doesn’t begin to describe how I really feel about the evening.
    “I had a great time today, too. I’m glad I ran into you. Or rather, that you ran into me.” We chuckle and Will starts to move toward the steps. “Um…I gotta go,” he says, his voice uncharacteristically shaky. I thank him again and say good-bye, but then in a moment he turns quickly and says, “Are you free tomorrow? We’re all going to Grandfather Mountain to go hiking. Would you like to come?”
    I’m taken off guard both by his physical one eighty and the idea of me on mountain terrain. “Hiking? Hmm. I’m not sure. You know it’s completely flat in Florida, right? I’m not sure if I even have the right shoes for that.” He just stares, convincing me with his eyes. Now that I am intrigued by everything about him, how can I deny him anything. “But…I guess I should give it a try…seeing as I live here now.” I can’t help but smile looking at him looking at me.
    “Great! Tell you what, I’ll text Caroline and Gwen tonight and see if they have an extra pair of hiking shoes you can borrow. If not, sneakers will be fine. I’ll pick you up at nine.”
    “That sounds great. Thanks for including me. It’ll be great to see the girls again.” It really is going to be great to see them again. I like them very much, and I think they like me. It’s nice being around people my own age. “Oh, and Tyler and Chris, too!”
    I feel awkward as we stand there. I don’t know if I should extend my hand to shake his, or if I should initiate a hug. I’m not really one for hugs, but I’ve already held his hand, even if it was just for my stability. It seems to be an appropriate display of friendship among Will and my new friends, so I step forward with my arms extended.
    “Well…thank you, again,” I say as I lift myself onto my toes and wrap my arms around his neck.
    He hugs me back, holding me close with his arms around my waist and says, “Thank you .” I’m overwhelmed by how good it feels to be in his arms,