Page 31 of A Fall to Remember

And then there was Shelby.

Elise wasn’t wrong. She was really cute.

What the hell are you doing, man? Pete chided himself as Shelby and Jim ducked away to find a spot to sit down and craft a social plan for him.

Why had he agreed?

It was like they were talking and, all of a sudden, he was saying yes.

That wasn’t his style.

Pete didn’t need to get set up.

Did he want to go on an air balloon ride in New Mexico or bake blueberry pies in Maine? Maybe. With the right person.

With a rotating group of strange women?

Not really.

He watched Shelby run her hand through her bouncy curls. He noticed the way her lips twisted into a half frown when she was concentrating, and the way she would absently twirl a strand of her hair around her finger.

Was it because of her?

Had he agreed to this mess because of Shelby?

They would get to spend more time together. That was a plus. Maybe he should back out now. Before things got out of hand. But then again, this would be a chance to spend even more time with her.

Elise dragged him from his thoughts. “Pete, Petey, Pete! Over here.” She danced like she was at a rave, trying to get his attention. She and Mom were over near the bandstand.

Pete headed toward them. The judges had taken their seats, and the DJ encouraged the contestants to line up along the edge of the park. Anyone participating in the costume contest would walk up along the main path and then cross over the gazebo so the judges could get a close-up look at the intricate details—beading, sequins, glittery crowns, you name it.

A professional photographer was stationed at the base of the gazebo to capture photos of everyone.

“You made it,” Pete said, squeezing in next to them. “How was the store?”

“Absolutely bananas,” Elise said. “I think that might be the busiest I’ve ever seen it. We felt bad leaving, but most people are here now for the costume contest, so things had slowed.”

Mom caught Pete’s eye. “You’re sure about this? Everything with Voyager?”

He waved his hands toward his face. “Oh, yeah, so ready. Bring it on.”

“Okay, that makes me feel so much lighter.” Mom wrapped her arms around both of them, pulling them into a hug. “You two, I just can’t thank you enough for encouraging me to do this. It’s all a whirlwind and keeping me on my toes to say the very least, but I’m having fun, and I hope you are, too.”

“Don’t you mean ‘forcing you to do this,’ Aunt Mimi?” Elise teased, fiddling with the brown ribbons on her braids.

“Yes, some of that, too. But this has already far exceeded my expectations, and it’s so wonderful for the Green Grocer. This is the boost we needed.” She released them. “I never would have said yes if it weren’t for the two of you.” Mom ruffled his hair the way she used to when he was young. “How about you, honey? You’re positive you’re not doing this to make me feel better?” The slightest flash of concern crossed her face.

“Wait, doing what?” Elise asked, the corners of her eyes crinkling.

Pete glanced toward where Shelby and Jim had been sitting, but he lost them in the crowd. “Nah, it’s all good.”

“Are you sure?” Mom’s lips pursed tightly as she studied him like she used to when he would tell her he didn’t feel well and couldn’t go to school. “You’ve seemed a bit off the last few days. Is everything okay?”

“Hold up, you two.” Elise looked from him to Mom and back again. “What are we talking about here?”

“One sec,” he said to Elise before responding to Mom. “I’m fine. It’s all good,” he lied, hoping that she didn’t pick up on it. He tried to be discreet about his search for his birth father, and this certainly wasn’t the right time to get into it. Then he stuffed his hands in his pockets, turning his attention to Elise. “Sorry. I haven’t had a chance to tell you this yet, but Jim and Shelby want to work on a spinoff campaign with me.” Heat rose to his cheeks. “Sort of a social media dating experiment I guess.”

“Wait, what?” Elise tossed her hand in the air to stop him. “Hold up. Say more. Tell me everything. Do not spare a single detail. You, Pete Brown, agreed to do a social media dating experiment? Am I in the Upside Down right now?” She stuck out her tongue and rolled her eyes back in her head. “Someone pinch me, please.” She thrust her arm toward him. “No, really, pinch me.”