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The response was positive.

“How about we work on the ones that are messed up?” Milo looked between Tommy, Ethan, and me. “We can have them up in no time.”

Milo continued to step up. Did he live in town and I just hadn’t met him somehow? I had questions but I held them since we had tents to build.

Ethan and I couldn’t keep our eyes off each other as we worked. Each time it happened, my stomach did a little flip at the thought of the kisses we’d shared. The air crackled between us whenever we touched. Each accidental—or not so accidental—brush sent sparks of energy through me.

I wondered if Ethan had the same reaction.

The sun was setting by the time we finished, casting long shadows across the neat rows of white tents. Sarah was practically bouncing with relief as she checked off the last items on her list.

“I can’t thank you all enough,” I said to the group. “This was amazing community spirit in action with a great assist from our guests as well. Please let me buy you all dinner at Red’s to show my appreciation.”

There were cheers of approval, and people began gathering their things. I watched Ethan help Milo and Tommy organize the boxes the tents had come in, giving the young men fist bumps when they finished.

I wanted to ask Ethan to dinner.

Just him.

Somewhere quiet where we could talk about what had happened under that tent. But I hesitated, unsure if this was the right moment.

Ethan solved my dilemma by approaching me as everyone headed for Red’s. “Hey,” he whispered. “Would you maybe want to get dessert afterward? Just us?”

My heart soared. “Yes,” I replied, possibly too quickly. “I’d like that.”

His smile was bright. “Great.”

I nodded, not trusting my voice. As we walked to join the others, our hands brushed again. This time, I let my fingers intertwine with his for a moment.

THIRTEEN

ETHAN

The diner buzzed with chatter as volunteers celebrated wrangling the tents into place. Mickey graciously accommodated us, likely past the seating capacity as some people stood at the counter. If anyone from the fire department happened by, we’d no doubt be told to disperse.

Andre moved from group to group, thanking everyone personally for their help. I watched, admiring how gracefully he handled his organizer duties, while remembering his lips against mine. My heart swelled with happiness every time he glanced my way and threw the sweetest smile in my direction, though joy tangled with an undercurrent of anxiety.

Excitement about someone I’d regarded as almost an enemy just days ago felt dangerous. Part of me wanted to temper these feelings, to protect myself from getting in too deep, but every time Andre’s eyes met mine, that resolve evaporated.

“You’re mooning.” Liam’s teasing voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“I am not.” I shifted my gaze to my friend, who’d slid into the booth across from me.

“Uh-huh.” He grinned. “So, about that tent…”

“Liam.” I groaned, dropping my head into my hands.

“Hey.” His tone shifted, becoming soft. He reached out and gently pulled on my right hand. “You okay?”

I lifted my head, grateful that he’d picked up on my discomfort. “I don’t know.”

“Tell me.” Liam leaned in, giving me his full attention.

I appreciated these moments with him. Despite his playful demeanor, I could always rely on Liam for honest conversation. It was comforting that we were always there for each other.

“I like him. A lot.” I kept my voice low, even though I doubted anyone was paying attention to us with the cacophony going on. “And those kisses were amazing. But having everyone find out that way…” I sighed. “You know that’s going to be in Maplewood Matters, probably with pictures.”

“Getting caught making out under a collapsed tent is a pretty epic way to announce a new relationship.”