When the song ended, everyone came into the kitchen laughing and out of breath. Marianne draped an arm over Elinor’s shoulders. “We forgot about the toast. Leave it to Elinor to save the day.”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
“We’ll call her Captain Toast.” Will held out a hand for her to shake. “Will Abley, happy to meet you.”
Elinor smiled up at him, equally gripping his enthusiastic handshake that practically made her elbow vibrate. He was a goof, but a handsome and friendly one. He’d be good for Marianne’s spirits if nothing else. “Are you staying for the bonfire?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Tell her how the two of you met,” Mom prompted.
Marianne rolled her eyes. “It wasn’t that big of a deal. At the copy place today, I somehow started printing like a million copies, and I couldn’t get the machine to stop. All these papers are shooting out the side, and I’m about ready to pull my hair out, when Will comes out of nowhere and pulls the thingy out of the machine for me.”
“The thingy?”
“The copy counter,” Will said, smiling at Marianne. “The device they give you to start the machine. The counter said she had made six-hundred copies.”
“And they tried to charge me for them!” Marianne shook her head. “Will talked them out of it. He’s my hero.”
“So then, Will saw the flyer?” Elinor asked, glancing between them. Her phone had been quiet since Lucy’s call, but now she was imagining neon fliers with her phone number advertising a good time scattered all over the copy shop.
“Nope. I’d already made the-fliers-which-shall-not-be-named and paid for those. But then I remembered I needed a copy of my proof of residency for a library card. You’d think they were loaning out kidneys or something with all the info they want on you.”
“There are mystery fliers?” Will’s eyebrows went up at the thought of something juicy he’d missed out on.
Greta leaned over and poked him in the stomach. “We’d tell you, but then we’d have to kill you.”
“Food first. Then death.” Mom shooed them all back to the table.
***
Lucy couldn’t have punished Edward any more thoroughly for cancelling their date on Friday. She showed up right at eight o’clock with her lawn chair, clinging to him as introductions were made.
At least she wasn’t the only extra guest. The Middletons were there, Ian at Greta’s side, excitedly stuffing marshmallows into his mouth while Dumpling yipped at his feet. Brandon Rice came too, but only for a few minutes before making an excuse and leaving.
And Will Abley was there, laughing with Marianne about everything and nothing at all when they weren’t constantly touching and sneaking kisses. Edward was happy for the two of them, but also slightly concerned at how rapidly their relationship had gone from meeting to making out. Maybe he was just bitter about his own non-existent love life.
“You’re the line manager at Date Night Soda,” Marianne exclaimed, when she came out of her blissful daze to notice Lucy sitting next to him. “What a small world.”
“And you live across the street from Edward. It’s a small world indeed.” Lucy looked over at him, her wide eyes full of pretend innocence. “You and Elinor must spend practically every waking moment together.”
He didn’t bother answering that absurd accusation, and instead broke open a sleeve of graham crackers, eating one before handing the package around.
“I’ve seen you in the Date Night Soda commercials. That’s you, isn’t it?” Will peered at Lucy more closely. “You know, the ones where you link arms with that beefy guy with your cans of soda and say, ‘to a great night.’”
Edward felt Lucy stiffen where she was gripping his arm. “We all start somewhere, which is especially true in a little town like this. What do you do, Will? What brought you to Datefield?”
“My aunt needed someone to keep her company, and I was always taught to listen to my mama. She said to come hang out here for a semester, so that’s what I’m doing. Away from campus, doing my classes all online, I’m actually getting better grades.”
“What’s your major?” Carol asked. She was sitting on the other side of the fire next to John and Sherri Middleton. If she seemed particularly concerned about Will and Marianne as a couple, she hid it well. There was only polite curiosity in her question.
“Chemical engineering.” Will paused, looking pleased with himself before breaking into a laugh. “Just kidding. I’m an art history major, with an emphasis on European portraiture in the fifteenth century. That’s probably why I recognized you from the commercial, Lucy. I never forget a face.” He winked at her. Lucy did not acknowledge it, instead choosing to fold and refold the napkin in her hands before tossing it in the fire.
When it was clear Lucy wouldn’t engage in his teasing, Will turned to Elinor. “Marianne said something about the mysterious fliers being the cause of this bonfire. Is that true?”
Elinor narrowed her eyes at Marianne. “I can neither confirm nor deny it.”
“Oh, come on now.”
