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I’ve got to get out of it before things get worse than they already are.
Meanwhile, Tess is watching me like she’s trying to figure things out. At least we’re on the same page there. To distract her—and myself—from the train wreck of my behavior, I nod at the counselor with the guitar, who’s been leading songs this whole time.
“The guy’s talented,” I say, hoping to steer our conversation back to normal.
“That’s Daniel, the one I was telling you about earlier. And he sure is.” Tess nods. “But I should probably ask him to wrap things up now.” As if on cue, Daniel stops strumming, and Tess claps her hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Time to finish up your s’mores, folks.” A collective groan rises up from the campers, but Tess lifts her palms, cutting it off. “I know, I know. It’s hard to let go of a good time, but it’s late, and I need to get this fire put out so we can all be safe tonight. Five more minutes, okay?” Several campers still protest, but a lot fewer this time. A couple of the kids are even yawning. Looks like Tess’s night hike did the trick.
She moves over to a group she hadn’t spent time with yet tonight. Her cheeks are glowing, and she’s in her element. Tess McCoy is so good at this. And she’sdefinitelytoo good a person to get mixed up in this stupidity with my brother.
So while she’s distracted, I pull out my phone and quickly compose a text to Frank. My stomach’s sick over all that I’m risking, but for better or worse, I’m getting out of this.
For my sake. And also for Tess.
ME:The bet is off. I’m sorry, but I can’t date someone on command. I won’t.
I hit send, then my eyes search the dark for Tess. Luckily, she’s too involved in her conversation to notice me noticing her. Another minute passes before she prompts everyone to either finish what’s left of their s’mores or toss them.
“We’ve got alllll summer to have fun,” she tells the group. “Tonight’s been great, but we need to pace ourselves.” She chuckles. “Let’s not push our luck.”
Yeah. I wish someone had told me that a week ago before I agreed to my brother’s bet. Tess comes toward me, and my pulse picks up. Apparently, proximity to Tess takes its toll on my circulation. When she reaches my side, I catch the scent of campfire and sugar.
“All right, everyone.” She claps her hands to get the group’s attention again. “When you’re done with your s’mores sticks, you can bring them over here.” She hands me a basket. “This is Spencer. He’s going to be staying here overnight with us. Of course you all would’ve been perfectly safe with me, but now we’ll beextra-safe.”
My chest swells with the thought of being someone who keeps Tess extra-safe.
“And his first order of business is collecting the sticks so we can wash and use them again.”
“Can we do this again tomorrow?” a kid calls out.
Tess laughs. “So much for pacing ourselves.”
I’m not sure holding a basket of s’mores sticks qualifies for me taking care of Tess, but it’s the least I can do, considering I’d planned to covertly date her for my own benefit. A fresh sliver of guilt stabs my heart, but at least I’m ending the bet now. And I started out with good intentions, didn’t I?
Who knows. I hardly know myself anymore.
What Idoknow is I’m here for Tess. Whatever she needs. From now on.
While I hold the basket so the kids can take turns dropping in their sticks, she fills buckets of water to drench the fire. With a long poker, she mixes up the ashes and the embers until everything’s damp and the smoldering stops. As she works, I snatch quick glances at her, marveling each time over what a natural she is.
How come I’ve never seen this side of her before?
Maybe it was always there, but I was too busy trying not to notice, hoping I wouldn’t care too much.
Once the fire is officially out, and the kids and counselors are trudging to the cabins, Tess and I wheel the s’mores cart back to the kitchen. The moon is out, full and round, lighting our path as we go. Just outside the building that houses the dining hall and kitchen, Tess stops so quickly, I bump into her. She spins around and a strand of loose hair sweeps across her face. I want nothing more than to tuck it behind her ear. Brush her cheek. But I don’t. I can’t. I’ve already acted plenty weird tonight.
“Something wrong?” I ask.
“Yep.” She cuts her eyes to the cart, and my chest tightens like I’m wearing a strait jacket. Maybe she’s figuring out I’ve got feelings for her. That I’ve had a few feelings for a while.
“What is it?” I gulp, steeling myself for the worst. “You can tell me.”
She blows out a long breath before meeting my gaze again. “It’s just that I’mprettysure you’re going to make us wash every single one of these s’mores sticks before we can go to sleep.”
Great.Thisis how Tess sees me. I’m no superhero. I’m rule-following Clark Kent.
Before I can protest, she tips her chin, and the new angle reveals a twinkle in her eye.
