“If you decide you enjoy the trailer,” Sebastian said to Leah, “you two should organize a group camping weekend this fall.”
“I’d like that. Who could we invite to join us?” Leah asked Ben. “Definitely Connor.”
“Did I hear my name?” Connor asked. He’d been standing a few groups away and now made his way toward them.
Sebastian had met Connor, the art teacher at Misty River High, a couple of times before. He was the type of handsome that women liked. Tall. In his late twenties. Red hair and beard. He had a relaxed, reasonable personality that made him easy to talk to.
“You remember Sebastian?” Ben asked Connor.
“I do. Good to see you again.”
“Good to see you, too.” They shook hands.
“Ben and I were discussing the possibility of a camping weekend this fall,” Leah said to Connor.
“I’m down for a camping trip anytime,” Connor replied.
Talk of camping led them to talk of the adventure races Connor participated in. Ben asked him about the wilderness navigation involved, and Connor explained the basics.
Hadley Jane squirmed, so Sebastian set her on her feet. She ran off.
He was left alone with the three teachers, who seemed very happy together. Sebastian stood there, stiff, jealous, and unnecessary.
During a break in the conversation, Leah and Connor stepped to the outdoor table for appetizers.
Ben leaned toward Sebastian. “Stop it,” he said under his breath.
“I’m trying to help you out with her.”
“I got this. I don’t need you to help me out.”
Shame needled Sebastian. Ben didn’t know it, but he’d already tried to help him out when he’d told Leah about Ben’s feelings for her. Ben wouldn’t approve of his actions, which had made Sebastian wonder, after the fact, if it had been a mistake to take matters into his own hands and try to set Leah up with Ben. Part of him felt badly about telling Leah Ben’s secret. But most of him believed he’d done the right thing. Ben had liked her for almost two years, and Leah had hadnoidea. How was she supposed to warm up to the idea of dating Ben if she didn’t even know he wanted to date her? “This courtship is coming around more slowly than the World Cup,” Sebastian grumbled.
“Some things are worth the wait.”
“Like puberty? When do you think that’s finally going to come around for you?”
As Sebastian had known he would, Ben broke into laughter.
Leah returned carrying a paper plate of food. She and Ben discussed the new superintendent.
Since Ben knew him better than anyone, Sebastian was having to work to pretend he had no more than a casual interest in Leah. Inside, though, he felt something far, far stronger. He was arrested by her.
Though he was doing and saying the right things to help Ben’s cause with Leah, he hated the thought of them as a couple. His brain was shoutingNo!to the possibility of a romance between them—even though the correct answer wasyes. Leah could not do better than Ben. Ben was the best uncle, and Ben would also be the best boyfriend.
And yet,no.
Yes.
Everything in him was demanding that he tear down heaven and earth to make Leah his.
What am I going to do?he wondered with the urgency of someone trying to escape a claustrophobic room.
He wasn’t going to do anything. Except treat her in the polite way he’d treated the women Ben had dated in the past.
Ben’s clueless uncle Eugene hooked an arm around Ben’s neck. The Colemans urged Eugene to play his saxophone at almost every gathering—funerals, weddings, birthday parties—despite the fact that he lacked talent. No doubt he’d perform an anniversary number later. “We’re arguing over which restaurant in Misty River makes the best biscuits,” Eugene said to Ben, dragging him away. “I need you to come over here and talk sense into these people.” He glanced at Sebastian and Leah. “Sorry, y’all. I’m going to borrow him for a bit.”
Then Ben and Eugene were gone, and Leah’s observant eyes flicked up to meet his.
