"It's on," Rico said with a laugh while Sam rolled his eyes.
"Something to look forward to," Wyatt told him and gave his transparent fiancé a kiss on the cheek.
As he watched them, Rico told himself that at least he and Mitch beat them at one thing.
Calling for their uncle, the boys were asking to buy something else, and Wyatt went over to see what they found. Sam went with Rico to grab a drink from a cooler they had on the porch. Sitting on the steps together, they drank some sodas and watched the yard sale action.
To get him to talk, Sam nudged Rico and said, "Skinny-dipping sounds like progress."
Rico thought about it. "I think so, but right now I don't know if Mitch is unsure of me or himself. It's all jumbled up."
"Does Mitch have anyone to talk to?" Sam asked.
Rico frowned at him and stated the obvious. "He has me."
"He's supposed to talk to you about you?"
"Why not?" Rico said obstinately.
"I know that I was kind of lonely before you came to town," Sam admitted then he looked embarrassed.
"Oh, you. You are so adorable," Rico teased him and threw an arm around him. "Hey, Wyatt. Sam loves me!"
"Shut up," Sam said to him.
"It's true. Look at how he's blushing," Rico yelled.
Wyatt came over to break it up. He tried to pull Sam to his feet, but Rico wouldn't let him. Sam laughed at their tug of war then finally pulled Wyatt down to sit next to him.
"Just making sure you stay jealous of me," Rico told Wyatt and shot him a wicked grin.
"That was for all of two seconds, and then I was over it. Completely over it," Wyatt claimed.
"Even if I sit in Sam's lap?" Rico moved to do it.
"Do not do that," Wyatt warned him and Rico laughed triumphantly.
He watched Wyatt pull Sam over to him to cuddle with him. As he turned away with a groan, Rico caught sight of Mitch glaring at him. He wondered what that was about. Did he disapprove? That would be just like him.
Rico sighed as he wondered again where the line was. What would Mitch consider going too far? What would make him wash his hands of Rico?
Chapter 28
The yard sale was over and everything that was left was going to be picked up by Mr. Miller and taken to a charity thrift store in Ashbury. Mitch and Rico were waiting for him in front so they could help him load his truck.
Sammy was inside, giving the kittens some extra attention since they had to stay indoors this whole time. Grandma came over to talk to Mitch. "Thank you for all the help today. Just add it to your hours."
"This was for charity. I won't be charging you for today," Mitch told her.
"Oh, go ahead. You're worth every penny. The yard sale was a success," she told him but Mitch still shook his head. Grandma then tapped her chin and looked toward the house. "I've been thinking. You have the place more or less in order. It's time for a housewarming."
"We still have some painting to do downstairs," Mitch reminded her.
"You can have the party out here. Have a few people over. Sammy can play with all the kids. You can meet your neighbors," she said.
"I've met a lot of people already, and I don't even live here," Mitch told her. He just wasn't a party guy, but Grandma wasn't going to let that stop her.
"You do for now. Be neighborly," she urged him.
