Page 67 of My Killer Blind Date

‘I’ve been successful. And I need somewhere to go and unwind. Work hard, play hard.’

Could it be the cabin where … No. Liam is not a serial killer. But my brain is obviously still wired to be suspicious. I wonder how long it’ll take me to unlearn that and just chill? The song ends. Without warning, Liam dips me. I arch over his forearm to thunderous applause.

He gently scoops me upright and brings me in for a slow kiss. Then, George is right there, slinging her arms around both of us.

‘You two are hot! Oh my God, I knew there was chemistry, but girl, I am sweating! Hey, let’s get drinks, the four of us!’

Worlds are colliding, but it feels right.

‘Drinks,’ I repeat, looking between my best friend and my boyfriend. ‘Sounds great.’

*

Five in the morning finds us singing karaoke in the boat George rented as the sky lightens. Mimosas are flowing freely, and I have a blanket wrapped around me against the early morning chill. Snuggled up against Liam, I feel like I’ve had a complete turn of fortune. A week ago, I was this miserable Reddit-obsessed girl who ate the same dinner every night and had no future. This morning, the future is spread out in front of me, wide as the sky.

Of course I’ll always carry my grief. Losing Zoe isn’t something I’ll get over, I know that. But I’m starting to realize that maybe I can carry that grief as I move forward, rather than allowing it to keep me stagnant.

As the sun rises over the lake, George belts the final karaoke song, ‘I Will Always Love You.’ She’s delightfully out of tune, but so enthusiastic, she gives out star energy regardless of her iffy pitch. Liam had star energy too when he sang ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ and did some truly astonishing moves, which the whole group quickly joined while I laughed from the bench, reveling in how well Liam – my boyfriend – is fitting in with my friends.

As George sustains the last note, we all burst into applause. We’re almost to the dock, and then I need to sleep for about twenty-four hours.

‘I’m glad you came,’ I whisper to Liam, nuzzling into his arm.

‘Me too.’ He brushes a kiss to my temple.

‘I wish the night weren’t over.’

‘It doesn’t have to be.’ His gray eyes fix on me. ‘Come away to the cabin with me. We can spend the night, and I’ll drive you home Sunday evening.’

‘You mean … leave now?’

‘We can stop by your place, you can grab whatever you need. And I’ll drive, so you can sleep on the way.’

I look into his eyes. Part of me is yelling, too fast, too risky, but that’s the voice that’s been holding me back for too long, and we are not listening any more.

No more pushing things forward to Future Margot. Future Margot is now.

‘Let’s go,’ I say.

Chapter Twenty-three

I open my eyes, squinting in the sudden brightness.

Where am I?

Glancing over, I see Liam, sleeves rolled up over forearms, one hand on the steering wheel, one arm leaned in the window.

Right. We’re headed to his cabin.

Then I take in the view. ‘Oh my God,’ I say, slowly straightening my seat back after my two-hour nap. We’re driving down a hill and the lake is ahead, at the end of the road, sparkling through the trees. The sky is blue, the trees are a saturated green and it’s all impossibly, exuberantly beautiful.

Liam grins and gives me a sideways glance. ‘I knew you’d love it. And good morning, by the way. Good nap?’

‘Incredible.’

From the hill, he takes a left on to a private dirt road, heavily wooded on either side. After a minute or two, he turns into a private driveway that cuts through the trees. We pass a small utility shed, and then the cabin comes into sight. He pulls to a stop behind it. Bleached, sandy-colored logs make the structure seem at home in its surroundings. The pitched slate roof promises tall ceilings, and I can’t wait to get inside and see the view of the water.

We get out of the car at the same time, and the warm, fresh air rushes over me. I fill my lungs. I can already hear the crashing sound of the waves, even though the beach isn’t visible from back here. Liam pops the trunk, we grab our overnight bags and head toward the door, our feet crunching over gravel.