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I reached out to hold her hand. “The best.”
I always enjoyed spending time with Wren and Everly, but today I was allowed to hold her hand because she was my girlfriend and soon-to-be fiancée. I didn’t have to pretend she was like a sister to keep my wayward thoughts at bay.
“Are you going to be kissing all the time now?” Wren asked as she looked over her shoulder at us.
“Absolutely. Get used to it.” I smiled at Wren before pulling Everly in to kiss her. I’d kissed her teasingly in the past, but this time, I allowed myself to linger. I wanted everyone who saw us to know things were different. My body had already gotten the message.
When I pulled back slightly, Everly blinked at me as if she were a little stunned. “How was that?” I asked, remembering our talk this morning about being convincing.
She smiled at that. “Not bad.”
“Uh,” Wren said as she turned back around. “I don’t know about this.”
“I thought you liked having me around?” Everly said, her voice light.
“I do. It’s the kissing and the other stuff I could do without.” Wren gestured wildly at us.
“I’m an affectionate guy,” I said as I came up beside Wren and threw an arm around her shoulder.
Wren merely gave me an irritated look, and I knew she was okay. The kids at school teased each other about crushes, so I was positive it was an extension of that, not any real animosity toward our relationship.
We’d reached the tables featuring vendors and slowed our pace to peruse the wares. We’d stop occasionally to get a closer look at something. Wren enjoyed shopping, so it was nice to have Everly share the experience.
When Everly purchased earrings for Wren, I put my arm around her and said, “You didn’t have to do that.”
Wren walked ahead of us, pleased with her purchase.
Everly smiled at me. “I wanted to.”
Before I could respond, someone said, “Hi, you guys.”
I squinted against the sun, wondering who’d recognized us. My heart picked up that we’d need to act the part.
It was Abby and her fiancé, Nick, with their boys, Abby’s son, Hunter, and Nick’s nephew, Brody. Both boys wore their travel team’s uniform with sneakers.
“You just come from a game?” I asked Nick.
“It’s a tournament. We had some time in between games, so we thought we’d stop by the festival.”
“What are you guys up to?” Abby asked, her eyes widening as she took in the way Everly was tucked into my side.
“I moved in with Harrison this weekend, and we’re spending the day together.” Everly smiled easily as if she hadn’t just dropped a bomb on her friend.
Motioning between us, Abby said, “I didn’t realize you two were together. When did this happen?”
“A few months—” Everly said at the same time I said, “A few weeks ago.”
Reading Everly’s slightly desperate look, I added, “We’ve been friends forever, and one thing led to another.”
Abby nodded. “Right. One thing led to another. And now you’re living together.”
“That’s right.” I hoped she wouldn’t ask any more questions. We clearly needed to work on both our story and the delivery.
“We’re happy,” Everly said so genuinely I believed her.
“I’m happy for you guys.” Finding the boys had wandered off, Abby said, “We’d better find our kids. It was great running into you.”
When we moved to separate, Abby lowered her voice, “We need to talk.”
