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The second kiss was confident, filled with all that had been building between us.
It was perfect.
Until the tent canvas was peeled away, flooding us with sunlight and the sound of gasps and some laughter.
“Well, well.” Liam held the canvas to the side with a huge grin plastered across his face. “I see you two found a creative way to handle tent assembly.”
We jumped apart, almost tripping over the poles on the ground. Ethan’s face was red and I suspected mine was too. Behind Liam stood at least six teenagers from camp along with Dix, Oscar, and the other volunteers.
They tried to keep straight faces.
None of them did a good job.
“Perfect timing as always, Liam,” Ethan muttered but he fought a smile.
“I try.” Liam continued to grin, enjoying this way too much.
He helped Ethan step out of the mess we’d made as Mimi held the canvas. Ethan gave me his hand to help me up, and my heart somersaulted as he gave it a squeeze.
“These tents are evil.” A young man spoke out loud and in ASL as he stepped next to Liam. “I helped my dad with these last summer. The instructions say two people can do this, but you really need four.”
“Can you show us?” Ethan spoke and signed as well.
“For sure.”
“Amazing,” I said and then quickly turned to Ethan. “I’m afraid I don’t sign. Can you, please?”
“It’s okay.” The teen shrugged casually even as he continued to sign. “My hearing aids are on, so it’s all good.”
“Andre, this is Milo, one of our campers.”
“Very glad to meet you, Milo. Sounds like you’re just the person we need to get this done.”
“I’m happy to lend a hand. Let’s start with one in the box and everyone can see how it’s done.”
My anxiety about the situation unclenched just a bit. “Let’s do it.”
“Tommy? Help us out?”
“Of course.” Tommy also spoke and signed. When did he learn that?
Milo took charge with a confidence that made me instantly grateful he’d shown up. Milo and Tommy laid out the poles much the same way we’d done it before, but this time Milo added small paper tags using paper from a notepad he pulled from his pocket and rubber bands Sarah had.
After tagging everything, Milo explained the strategy. “My dad figured this trick out. Label each section before you start. Makes it way easier to keep track.” He glanced at the mess Ethan and I had created with a sympathetic smile. “These things are like puzzles. But once you know how to do it, it goes pretty fast.”
Milo directed Tommy, Ethan, and me through the assembly process as the other volunteers observed. The same corner pieces that had given us trouble came together smoothly under his guidance. When we reached the part where our tent had collapsed, Milo demonstrated how to brace the frame properly.
“See, you need someone here, here, and here.” He positioned us. “The weight has to be distributed evenly while you attach the canvas or it’ll fall apart.”
Ethan caught my eye and grinned. “Maybe getting trapped under the tent wasn’t entirely our fault after all.”
“I’m choosing to believe that.” I chuckled even as heat crept across my cheeks.
Within fifteen minutes, we had a perfectly assembled tent. No wobbles, no loose canvas, just a space ready to be occupied by a vendor. The difference between our earlier chaos and Milo’s methodical approach was striking.
“That was incredible.” I nodded at Milo. “Did everyone get that?” I looked at Sarah and the volunteers.
“I recorded it and I’m sending it to all of you.” Sarah turned to the team. “Everyone good?”
