Page 68 of My Killer Blind Date

He unlocks the door and gestures for me to go in first. We dump our bags in the entry, then head up a set of pale pine stairs to reach the main level. The second we’re there, I’m in heaven. It’s an open-concept space with a small kitchen and a large living room. A comfortable L-shaped couch is the main feature, and a stone fireplace promises cozy evenings. But the best part is the huge glass sliding door that occupies the entire east-facing wall, framing the incredible view of the beach and the lake with the radiant summer sky arched over it all.

‘Liam! This is insane!’ I whack him in the arm.

‘I know.’ He flashes me an unapologetic grin, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

‘Seriously, how can you afford this? I’m twenty-six and I can barely scrape rent together.’

He shrugs, like it’s nothing. ‘I got an incredible deal on it – and I’ve been lucky in my career. We’ll have to walk down the beach so you can see the other places and get some perspective. My cabin is the most modest place on this stretch.’

I mean, OK. But though it’s small and all the space is used efficiently, there is nothing modest about this space or the decor, from the beautiful wood floors to the soaring pitched ceilings to the state-of-the-art appliances.

‘How about I whip us up some lunch?’ he says. ‘Do you like eggs?’

I laugh. ‘I’ll eat anything except lasagna.’

Suddenly, Liam captures me from behind, making me jump even as his strong arms lock me close to him.

‘You scared me,’ I say with a breathless laugh.

‘Mmmm, well, you scare me.’

‘What? Me?’

‘I told you. You’ve done something to me.’

Well, he’s certainly done something to me too. I let myself relax into his torso as we sway back and forth.

‘The bedroom’s downstairs, if you want to get settled,’ he says.

‘Well I can’t go downstairs if you’re holding me in a death grip.’ I crane my head around and land a kiss on his scruffy cheek. ‘I didn’t know you could sing, by the way.’

His voice goes gruff. ‘I have a whole slew of talents I can’t wait to introduce you to.’

‘That sounds dirty,’ I laugh, but a warm little rush goes up my middle.

‘Oh, it is,’ he murmurs, burying his nose in my neck.

After another minute of cuddling, I unwrap his arms. ‘Eggs.’

‘Coming right up.’

I go back downstairs to drop my bag in the single bedroom. I check out the bathroom, which is small but impeccably tidy. There is one other door, which I open. Ah – the utility room. I flick on the light. I can hear Liam walking around upstairs as I take in the space. A stacked washer and dryer. A water heater. Some storage boxes. And … a freezer.

Oh, fuck.

For a minute, I just stare at it. Large and white, wedged between the washer-dryer and the back wall. I shove a hand in my crossbody purse and find the comforting contact of my phone. 911 is just a call away … though, do I know the address to tell them to come to? Nope. I didn’t see a road name when we made that turn off the main road.

OK. If I’m about to make a horrific discovery, at least Liam is upstairs. Even now, I can hear him clattering around on the stove. I won’t scream. I’ll just dash out the back door and run while I dial 911 and try to ascertain the name of the road.

I stare at the freezer for another few seconds as I try to rev myself up to do the deed.

Gah! I just have to open it!

I surge forward, grab the lid and flip it up.

No way.

What am I even looking at?? It’s a completely chaotic jumble of … camping gear? I pluck at a pile of blue vinyl, then pull it out. A few poles clatter out too. Beneath that, a camping stove lies flat against the bottom, and other gear is piled around. A couple lanterns, a hiking backpack, a canteen.