Mack and I don’t speak until we’re deep in the forest. “Where are we going?” I ask as he leads the way.

“The lake. I thought it would be a good place to talk.”

“About what?”

“Whatever you want.”

“What about my aunt and your dad?”

Mack glances back at me and shudders. “Not that. Anything else.”

Grinning, I trail him in silence until we reach the same lake we met at before. But there are clear signs his bringing me here wasn’t a spontaneous decision. I gaze in wonder ...