her room, she looked in the mirror one more time. It was a far different reflection than she was used to seeing. Rosy-cheeked and all smiles. "All right," she said, "here goes.”
She walked out into the living room where Alice was watching TV with Scarlett nestled beside her on the couch. "Come and sit by me," Alice said, patting the couch next to her.
"What are you watching?" Shelby said.
"Some show on fixing up old homes to look like new. It makes me wonder if I should take on a project. Your grandpa and I talked about remodeling the kitchen sometime."
Shelby looked around. "I don't know. It looks pretty good. I love your house just the way it is."
"Well, thanks," Alice said. "You look lovely. Are you ready for tonight?"
Shelby took a deep breath. "I guess I am."
Her grandmother laughed. "Of course you are. I'll be right here across the street if you need anything.”
At that, there was a knock at the door. Shelby, her eyes wide, looked over at her grandmother.
Alice nodded at the door. “What a gentleman, escorting you across the street. Go answer."
Shelby slowly opened the door, where, of course, Logan was waiting for her. For a moment she could hardly believe this was real.
"Good evening," Logan said. "All set?”
Shelby’s breath caught at the sight of him. It was the first time she’d seen him in jeans and a white t-shirt that set off his deep tan. Her crush on Nick back in Las Vegas paled in comparison to the boy in front of her.
"I’m ready,” she said.
“Can I come in a minute and say hi to your grandma?”
Shelby stood aside, waving him in. “Sure, of course. I should have invited you in.”
Logan greeted Alice very politely, letting her know they would be a little late, but he would make sure Shelby got home safely.
Shelby’s heart melted a little more. "I'm all set," she said.
"All right,” Logan said, walking her to the door. “I hope you're ready for s'mores."
They waved goodbye to her grandmother and walked across the street. Shelby was curious to see inside Logan’s sprawling house. The double front doors opened up into an entry displaying spacious, open rooms and peaked ceilings. Massive windows revealed their impressive view. A lit path curved down to their private dock. The darkening lake reflected traces of deep purple and magenta light lingering from the sunset. It felt like standing in the middle of the lake floating in their living room.
Logan’s mother, an attractive but reserved woman with white blonde hair, walked over to greet them. "You must be Shelby. I'm Iris.”
"Nice to meet you," Shelby said.
Gabe was right behind her. "Hey, good to see you, Shelby."
"You too," she answered. "How are you doing?"
For a moment he looked a little nervous that she might forget herself and say something about Mutt, but of course, she just gave him a sly wink.
Iris walked over to the massive granite island separating their kitchen from a formal dining area. "Everything is set,” she said. “Are you up for making s'mores?”
Shelby eyed the tray of scrumptious-looking chocolate candy bars, marshmallows, and graham crackers. “Absolutely.”
Logan took Shelby’s arm and walked out the French doors. “The fire pit is warming out on the deck, and there are some sticks as well. I’m ready if you are," he said.
The group headed down to the redwood deck with a circular cement patio in the center. Ash hardwood Adirondack chairs and benches surrounded the grill with crackling firewood heating the coals. Iris carried the tray out with the chocolate and the other supplies and put it on a table beside them.
"Okay, grab a stick," she said.
"Me first," Gabe said. He slid a marshmallow on the top before roasting it over the flame. "I like mine crispy," he said.
"I do too,” Shelby said as she placed her marshmallow over the fire. Gabe was amusing to watch. He was at the awkward, gangly stage and still had braces. But his light hair and delicate features like his mother promised he’d be quite handsome man in a few years.
Logan followed suit. "I like mine golden-brown."
"Oh, that's no good," Gabe said.
Iris laughed. "You can make them any way you want."
Shelby’s first impression of Iris being a bit pale and withdrawn began to change. In the glow of the firelight, everyone joked, laughed, and seemed happy. If Logan had not hinted at conflict under the surface, she’d had thought them to be a fun, carefree family.
Soon the marshmallows were smoldering and ready to be