“His dad is Hudson Walker,” Sally said. “The Hudson Walker.”
“Hudson Walker?” Barbie said and then her eyes lit up. “Hudson Walker, the famous billionaire that dates all those actresses and models?”
“Yes,” I said with a smile. “The very same one. He might even have dated Mila Kunis.”
“Mila.” TJ gave me a look that indicated how annoyed he was, but I didn’t care. Let him deal with gold-digging Barbie. She would try to get her clutches into him even deeper now that she knew how well-connected he was.
“Yes, TJ?” I said softly and then squealed as we pulled off Old Harris Road and drove through the woods towards the lake. “Ooh, we’re nearly there.” I lowered my car window and stuck my head outside and closed my eyes as the cool breeze caressed my face. I took a deep breath and breathed in the air. “Can you guys feel and taste the nature right now?” I sighed in contentment.
“I can’t taste anything,” Barbie said. I didn’t respond.
“You really love the lake house, don’t you?” TJ said softly as he pulled off and stopped in front of my family cabin. I turned to look at him and I could see an affectionate look on his face. It was a rare sight; normally, TJ and I spent so much time sparring that we didn’t really express any other sort of positive emotion towards each other. I smiled at him, happy in my environment and at my plans for the weekend.
“I do, I feel like it’s this magical place. My own private Narnia.” I grinned at him and then hopped out of the car. I ran up to the front door and lifted up the big red plant pot and grabbed the front-door key. I opened the door and ran inside, happy to be here, finally. I really did love the lake house. It was the only place that made me feel like I was one with the earth. It was also the only place where TJ and I had once had a moment that had made me feel like maybe, just maybe, there could be something between us. It had only happened once and it had happened so fast that I wasn’t sure if I’d imagined it, but the fact that it was even a possibility in my mind was enough, for now.
“Hey, you going to get your own bags or do you expect me to be your man-slave?” TJ shouted into the house as he walked in and looked around the large living room with the massive wood-burning fireplace right in the center.
“I expect you to be my man-slave,” I said and walked up to him, my eyes laughing at him. “Just because you’re the son of a billionaire doesn’t exempt you from your duties.”
“Hmm, my duties?” He cocked his head to the side. “What do I get from you in return for fulfilling my duties?”
“You’ll see,” I said softly and stared into his eyes. “Maybe something wonderful.”
“Wonderful?” he said with a small smile and we gazed at each other for a few moments, saying nothing. I moved closer to him and was about to lean in for a kiss when he frowned. “There’s nothing you can give me that is good enough for me to become your man-servant.”
“Whatever,” I said, my heart dropping as I stepped back and walked out of the front door, thanking God I hadn’t embarrassed myself by going for a kiss. “I’ll get my own bags, lazy-ass.”
“I’m not lazy.” He grabbed my arm as I walked out and pulled me back to him. His fingers gripped my wrist and I looked at him with an angry, hurt expression. He stared at me for a few seconds and then let go. I turned back around and walked to the Range Rover, my heart thudding. What had just happened there? That had been an awkward moment and I didn’t know what it meant.
“Is this where we’re staying?” Barbie looked at me with another surly look. I swear, I wished the wind would hit her as she was pulling one of those expressions so that her face would stay that way.
“What do you think?” I snapped and looked at Sally, who was trying not to laugh. “We just parked in front of the cabin. I went and got the key and opened the front door. Did you think I was doing it for shits and giggles?”
“I was just asking a question,” she said, looking irritated.
“Uh huh, dumbass,” I said quietly, but obviously my voice wasn’t low enough because she gave me a deadly look.