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It wasn’t as though she hadn’t warned the man. Every time he made some sweet physical display of affection toward Mia, popcorn. The rules were simple, and also unspoken because she may have forgotten to tell him. It was more amusing when he didn’t know the rules. Her older cousin wasn’t great at getting the hint since she’d nailed him with popcorn three times, this last time when he’d swept the hair behind Mia’s right ear and leaned in to whisper something secretive, which released the dimple.
The fair was already a disappointing bore. For one thing, Mia couldn’t go on any rides and Ross wouldn’t go on rides without her. The whole outing was transitioning into an uneventful experience except for the food. Fair food was always worth it, even if it meant being exposed to sappy physical displays of affection.
Luna scrolled through the comments on her Instagram where she had posted an earlier selfie while wearing the new crimson summer dress with the ruffled off-shoulder sleeves. She should get a big sun hat and—
“Oh. Hi, Sam,” Mia said.
Her eyes snapped from her device. Sam? What the hell was he doing here? She thought maybe she’d run into Zabe and her father but Sam was a surprise, one which could add more interest to the day besides pelting her cousin with popcorn.
Mia swept a hand toward her husband. “This is—”
“Ross,” Sam said. “I remember you from school. How’s it going? Congratulations on…” He lost his words and instead waved an awkward gesture toward Mia’s belly.
Her cousin laughed. “Thanks. How’s everything going with you?”
“Fine. Hey, Luna.” He gave her a shy glance.
Ross raised his brow, entertained by the situation, but she refused to give him any mind at all because there wasn’t any to give. Whatever her cousin thought, he was wrong. One thing was certain, Mia hadn’t told Ross anything about Sam, otherwise, she’d imagine he’d be a lot less friendly toward her landlord. Her cousin wasn’t one to get into fights, but he was capable of holding an obvious grudge.
“I didn’t know you were coming to the fair,” she replied, her fingers playing with the end of her hair, feeling nervous all of a sudden.
“Oh, yeah, I like to at least check out some of the exhibits.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Yup, I come to this one every year. Lots of great…uh, submissions.” His thumb jerked to the large, white exhibitor’s tent beside them.
“The Great American Quilt Exhibit?” Luna read from the event poster outside.
“Uh.” He peered through the tent doors and then at the surrounding area, appearing lost. “Maybe I’m turned around. I thought it was the woodworking one?”
“We haven’t been there yet,” Mia said brightly. “We can all go there together.”
Sam eyed Luna again who remained silent. She knew it was risky. Ross might find out about Sam’s past, but it wasn’t as thoughshehad invited the guy to spend time with them. That had been Mia. Plus, it would make everything obviously awkward to dismiss the guy, when all he was doing was hanging out. Who was she to say where he could and couldn’t go? It wasn’t as if she was committing to a relationship with him, so there was no reason to tell Ross anything. It was just that she’d rather be a wheel in a group of four rather than three. Nothing more.
“Okay,” was all he replied to Mia’s invitation, and she tried to suppress any emotions resembling glee to this.
Before they moved from their spot, Ross plucked the popcorn from Luna’s hands much to her surprise. “I think it might be my turn to hold that.” Her cousin’s dark eyes held a playful glint.
Dammit.Ross was more perceptive than she realized but he’d be holding on to every single kernel because he didn’t know about Luna’s determination to keep the guy at arm’s length. Except, she’d sort of promised to be less of a brat toward Sam when they were at the nursery and this didn’t happen without some effort.
“So,” Luna said, “you go to these exhibits every year?”
“Well, maybe not every year.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets, his head tilting to the ground. “But it’s nice to see what talented people can do.”
“Now you sound like Mia.” As they strolled through the crowded exhibits, she noticed her cousins weren’t paying attention as to whether or not Luna and Sam were keeping pace but, with popcorn war in full force, maybe that was a good thing.
“I haven’t been to the fair in a few years myself, but Mia has a few photos submitted at the photography exhibit.”
“Did she win anything?”
“She got a few first-place ribbons. Not that this is a great shock. Mia pretty much succeeds at everything she does. But they are good.”
He was studying her more than the exhibits. “If they accepted submissions for creative home decorating, I’m sure you’d win a few ribbons. Zabe hasn’t stopped talking about her new room. You did good.”
She was glad her cousins weren’t nearby because his words produced a warm glow within her. It was probably the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to her and she couldn’t help but respond with a smile. At this rate, she might be willing to drop her bad habit of tormenting his poor hat. Not fighting with Sam was already having some benefits.
She gave his shoulder a playful bump as they stood before an elaborately carved fireplace mantel. “You’re a handy guy, right?”
