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“Heh heh heh.” Frank starts to chuckle. “Did we just land ourselves in an episode ofFriends?”
All the emotion flooding through me is too much, and my eyes flash. “This isn’t funny, Frank!”
“Come on.” He cocks his head. “It’s a little funny.”
“You threatening to take Spencer’s money because of some stupid bet is… terrible.”
“Hey.” Frank splays his hands. “I didn’t twist his arm. My genius brother suggested betting the car. Do you know how much the baby is worth?”
“No,” I blurt out.
“Thirty or forty K, depending on the buyer.”
“Great.” I plant my hands on my hips. “So you figured taking everything Spencer’s saved for a down payment would be a fair trade?That’swhat you dangle over his head?”
Frank sighs, dragging a hand over his mouth. “I was never gonna take his money.”
My jaw drops.
“I just wanted to give my brother a little push. Maybe get the guy to go on a date or two. What do you think I am? Some kind of monster?”
I gulp. “I mean … yeah. Kind of.”
“Wow.” Frank pauses for a moment, scratching at his chin, just as Mrs. Lockhart converges on us.
“Tess?” She eyes me up and down. Frank takes a step back, ducking his head. He lifts his hand like he’s about to take off his hat, but he’s not wearing one.
“Hello, ma’am,” he mumbles, his usual swagger with the mayor gone.
“Is everything all right?” she asks.
I nod. “Everything’s fine, Mrs. Lockhart.”
She arranges her face back into her parade float smile. “Well, you two looked like you were arguing. And I can’t have my director in a public kerfuffle with a civilian, now can I?”
“No, Mrs. Lockhart. Of course not.”
“Good.” The float smile turns into a grin, with extra teeth and gums. “I just came over to tell you that Mac wants to speak with you. He and Brooke and Daisy are over at The Steaming Wienie. They didn’t want to lose their place in line, so your brother asked me to get you for him.” Mrs. Lockhart lays a hand over her heart. “As their mayor, I happily obliged.”
I lean in to whisper, “You’ve already got my vote, Mrs. Lockhart.” She drops her smile for a split second, then hikes it back up again. “Excellent point, Tess. On that note, I’d better get back to making my rounds.”
As she hurries off to work the crowd, I glance around, realizing how many people have shown up now besides my brother. Frank and I must have looked too deep in conversation for anyone to interrupt us.
Owen and Jill, newly engaged, are on a blanket under a tree with plates of food. Over by the beverage tubs, Mr. Dudley is with Archie, gesticulating wildly. Even Mrs. Dodd is here again, heading into the dining hall with Uncle Milty. He used to be her attorney. Now he’s her boyfriend. Her eighty-five-year-old boyfriend. They’re both wearing cowboy hats and boots, and their plates are piled with cookies.
Finally, over by the grill, I spot Kayla chatting with Clive. Lucy and Fix are standing with them too. Oh no.Lucy.
Frank and I were just talking about her. A wave of guilt crashes over me. I hope she didn’t hear our conversation. Then again, I didn’t say anything wrong. It was Frank who told me Spencer only pursued Lucy because he always goes for women he doesn’t really want. Romantic sabotage. Self-protection.
What if Frank is right?
This new connection I’m sensing with Spencer could be just another example of him guarding his heart. Maybe he kissed me because he knows I can’t hurt him. Maybe there’s little risk because he doesn’t care enough. And let’s not forget I’ve told him—more than once—I’m not looking for a relationship. Does this make me safe ground in his eyes?
My stomach churns at the thought.
I’ve got to find out the truth and tell Spencer how I feel. As hard as the conversation will be, I owe it to him. I owe it to myself. Later tonight, after everybody’s gone, I’ll have the biggest heart-to-heart of my life.
“Tess!” At the sound of my name, I turn and see Mac headed my way. His brow is creased and he’s charging at me. Is my brother actually mad I didn’t come talk to him yet?
Great. Here I thought I was finally making him proud, being responsible, running this camp. My heart plunges past my knees. I can’t win.
“I wasjuston my way over to see you,” I blurt out as he grabs my shoulders. “Did you get your steaming wienies?”
“No time for hotdogs,” he pants. “Brooke’s water just broke.”
