Page 72 of Harvest Heat

“Oh no. I was hoping those were easy interactions, but he did look like he was about to pass out when you two left.”

“Do you notice everything?”

She shrugged. “I’m a goalie. It’s kind of what I do.”

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense.”

“What did Sylvia say?”

“Just that she was excited that we were working together and that I couldn’t have found a better man, but Rhys took it like she’d said she knew we were sleeping together.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. What did you do?”

“I tried to do most of the talking, but I think the more we protested, the more she, Agnes, and Mrs. Murphy knew they were right.”

Marianne raised her brows. “And they are right, aren’t they?”

“Yes, but please⁠—”

“I’m not going to say anything, but you have to know a lot of people have been hoping you’d get together, and they were already going to assume more than you said, even if it wasn’t true.”

“I know. I figured that out last night.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Caleb wasn’t sure what he could say. Marianne was Rhys’s friend, and he wasn’t going to shit-talk Rhys in front of her. He wasn’t really sure how fair that would be, anyway, because Rhys had good reason to be scared. He just wished things were different. He loved Frostwick Harbor, and he wanted to be with Rhys. “I care about him. A lot.”

Marianne smiled. “That’s good.”

“Is it? I’m not sure he wants that.”

“I think he does, but he’s scared.”

Caleb scratched Mallow behind the ears, eliciting some purrs. “I don’t know what to do about that.”

“I think the only thing you can do is wait for him to figure out what he wants.”

“I can’t wait forever.” Mallow nudged him, wanting more attention.

“True, but it’s only been a few weeks, right?”

Caleb blew out a long breath. She was right. He felt like he’d known Rhys for much longer than he had. “I guess so. It’s just…”

“He’s intense.”

Caleb nodded.

“And you’re both very passionate about what you do. I’m sure that comes out when you’re working together.”

Caleb felt his cheeks heat. “We… um… yes.”

Marianne laughed. “I don’t need any details.”

“At least he finally admitted we were working together. I hated lying to everyone.”

Marianne nodded. “That was a big step. Rhys loves it here, but it’s hard for him to be scrutinized. He’d prefer to be perceived a lot less than he is. But he was willing to come here night after night and work with you, right?”

Caleb nodded. He supposed that was a big deal. “He wants us to take a break from working together.”