I run a hand down my face.
Luckily, August saves us. “I believe”—he dries his hands on a paper towel, tossing it into the trash—“that would compromise Adam’s position on the Ad Hoc Committee to Determine the Outcome of Stevie’s Love Life.”
“Shoot. You’re right. Adam can’t go on a date with her, can he?” Marlow clucks her tongue, frowning at August like it’s his fault. She tries to tickle his side, but he dodges her. “What if the committee brings it to a vote?”
“That could work.” August snatches her hand, and my friends fall together, laughing and distracted. I look away out of self-preservation. I miss the days when these two pretended they weren’t obsessed with each other. Those were easy times.
Adam catches my gaze, his eyes dark and questioning.This can’t be good, right?
Worry ties my insides in a knot. I shrug.Probably not.
Chapter 26
Adam
“Ihereby call to order this meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee to Determine the Outcome of Bigfoot Versus Boyfriend.” Ike taps his gavel softly. We’re not in the assembly room where they usually hold town meetings, so he’s being gentle on the conference table.
Diana drops her forehead into her hand, rubbing her temples and muttering her husband’s name.
After a long weekend of quiet time with Stevie all to myself, I’m returning to reality in the most jarring way possible: a committee meeting. It’s not even a full town meeting, but it’s still brutal.
Only the nonsense committee, Ike, Stevie, Marlow, Diana, and the minute-taker are in attendance on this Monday night. We’re seated around the table in teams. I’m sitting between Stevie and August on one side. Marlow, Muffie, and Stevie’s mom, Inger, are seated across from us. Diana and Ike are at the head of the table, looking like the President and First Lady of Cape Georgeana, except Ike is wearing a faded Red Sox shirt.
“What item of business has the committee convened to approve?” Ike asks, spinning his gavel between his palms.
Muffie, her voice muffled as she digs through her giant purse, answers, “We’re here to vote on whether Marlow is allowed to arrange a date with Stevie and a member of the committee.” She’s so deep in her purse, she might need a belayer.
“Uh, Mr. Wentworth?” The minute-taker holds up her hand.
“What’s up, Tina?”
She blushes. “Are you sure I should be here?” Even she seems to sense that none of this is standard protocol, no matter how small the town or how bored the town manager.
“Only if you want the extra hours.” He shrugs.
“So, for the record, I am being paid hourly?” Her fingers are poised over her keyboard, waiting for his answer. This Tina woman knows how to hustle. I can respect that.
Ike grins. “Sure.”
She hurriedly records Ike’s response in the minutes. That woman is getting paid.
“It’s a waste of time,” Muffie says from inside her purse. “Shirtless Adam—”
“It’s just Adam,” Stevie cuts in, but when everyone turns to face her in eerie unison she amends, “He’s wearing a shirt tonight. Go ahead and put that on the record, Tina.” She gestures soberly to the minute-taker’s laptop.
Diana’s red lips curl at the corners while Tina types into public record the fact that I’m fully dressed.
“Anyway,” Muffie emphasizes, “while I would argue that Shirtl ...Adamis a virile, worthy candidate—”
Get me out of here.
“—when it comes to a vote to determine whether Stevie has a boyfriend, Adam will vote with his party. Simple as that.” She’s unloading the contents of her purse on the conference table now. So far there’s a stapler, a bruised apple, and one of those mini boxes of crayons restaurants give to small children. “Marlow’stime is better served choosing a date who won’t vote against the outcome.”
I didn’t expect clear thinking from the depths of Muffie’s bejeweled purse. I don’t like the idea of Stevie dating anyone but me, though.
I’m surprised when Stevie’s mom cuts in. “Isn’t the whole point of this to finally find a boyfriend for my daughter? If Adam’s the right guy—”
“Mom.” Stevie’s cheeks are ten lovely shades of pink.
