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inside her skin. She made him think he could do anything — that anything was possible, even this:
    “I love you, too.”

Chapter 6
    Mr. Elliot swung open the kitchen door and stuck his head through, frowning. “Mountain Laurel, stop moping around and fill the salt and peppers.” This was uncharacteristically stern talk from father to daughter, and James stole a glance over at her while he stacked dishes on the shelves.
    Huffing, she grabbed a tray to carry salt and pepper shakers, banged the door open with her hip, and disappeared into the dining room. Yes, she was moping a little, but then again, so was he. Summer was over. He had packed most of his things and cleaned up the Pendletons’ boat. Stuart would arrive the next day around noon, and the two of them would travel back to Ohio. A few days at home and then it was back to the grind of classes.
    With Laurel leaving the following Sunday, this would be their last night together for who knew how long. He never expected it would be this difficult to leave her behind. He had a lead on a used car when he got home, but even with his own wheels, he might only get to see her once or twice before the semester break. It wasn’t that he couldn’t live without her — he just didn’t want to.
    But this was the way of things. People moved on with their lives, didn’t they? It couldn’t be helped. But he wondered: if Stu felt half as much for Virginia as he did for Laurel, how did they do this separation thing year after year?
    James heard Mr. Elliot’s voice, low and urgent behind the door, and leaned in closer to hear.
    “Just make sure you’re home on time. Your mother will — ”
    “I know, I know,” Laurel interrupted. “She’ll have a fit.”
    “And Laurel, I don’t want you on that houseboat, do you understand? I don’t want you getting into a situation you can’t handle.”
    James felt his mouth go dry. Torn between feeling offended and feeling guilty, he couldn’t honestly say he hadn’t thought about bringing her to the boat — and for the very reason her father was warning her against it.
    “Dad, we’re going to town to see a movie. It will be fine.”
    There was no response.
    “James would never hurt me, Dad. Never.”
    “I hope you’re right, daughter.”
    “I am right. You don’t need to worry.” Her voice grew louder as she approached the swinging door next to his ear, and James stepped away before she could catch him eavesdropping.
    “Change of plans.” Laurel smiled, but her eyes were serious. “Can you meet me at the top of the hill instead of the boat?”
    “Sure. What — ?”
    She rolled her eyes. “I’ll tell you later.”
    * * *
    James climbed into the passenger seat of the pickup, and Laurel stepped on the gas and squealed out of the parking lot.
    “Whoa there!” He put a hand on the dash to steady himself.
    She shot him a blazing glare, making his heart pound with an unexpected burst of excitement, but then her eyes softened, and she shook her head. “Sorry. Dad kind of ticked me off tonight. I guess I’m still a little miffed.”
    “Miffed? The woman’s ‘a little miffed.’ Miffed about what?”
    “He said . . . ” She paused, thinking, but then she just shrugged, looking a little petulant. “Nothing.”
    Laurel drove up to the main highway and stopped. A lone car went past, and they were wreathed in darkness once again, with only the streetlight to illuminate them. She didn’t turn onto the road, though. Instead, she turned to him and searched his face as if looking for an answer to one of life’s big questions. After a few seconds, she spoke, her voice becoming stronger with each word. “I don’t feel much like a movie, do you?”
    “Um, okay.”
    “Let’s take a drive instead.”
    “Sure, whatever you say. Where to?”
    “I know a place, around the other side of the lake. It’s nice . . . quiet. We can sit by the water and look at the stars.”
    “Fine by me,” he agreed, wondering what this was