I squint. “Caleb has frosting on his face.”
“Okay,” Jesse says, nodding, “so… disaster.”
We both watch as Eliza chases Caleb through the crowd with a plastic cup full of lemonade, sloshing sticky liquid everywhere she goes.
Jesse sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Those two will be the death of me.”
“They’re sweet,” I say, unable to stop the smile growing on my lips. “Insane, but sweet.”
He glances at me then, with a soft, warm expression. An expression that makes me feel seen in a way I’m not used to.
“You’re good with them,” he says.
“I like them,” I admit.
“They like you too. A lot.”
My chest does a strange, fluttery thing that I try to suppress.
“And,” he adds, quieter this time, “I like you, too.”
My breath catches.
He doesn’t seem to realize he said it out loud until the silence stretches between us, thick enough to hold. His eyes widen just slightly, as if he’s only just processed his own confession.
“I mean,” he says quickly, “I like talking to you. You’re easy to talk to. Comfortable. And funny. And you listen. And?—”
“Jesse.”
He shuts up immediately, eyes bright with embarrassment.
I laugh softly. “It’s okay.”
His shoulders drop, relieved. And I do the unthinkable.
I step closer.
Just a tiny bit.
Just enough to let him know I’m not running away.
“Come sit with us,” he offers again.
“Okay,” I whisper.
He grins, this wide, radiant thing that makes his whole face light up, and somehow my heart manages to beat even faster.
He gestures for me to follow, and as we walk out from under the tree, the smell of rain intensifies. The clouds darken overhead, and a shiver runs through me, though not entirely from the storm.
The twins see us and sprint over, nearly tackling Jesse’s legs. He scoops one under each arm like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“Family meeting!” he announces dramatically. “We have a guest.”
Eliza gasps. “Is it Miss Abilene?”
Caleb claps. “Yay!”
My heart melts so fast it’s a little embarrassing.
