Page 131 of Fall Fake-Out

“He’s good with people.” The statement slips out of my mom’s mouth before she can stop it.

My head whips toward her, surprise written all over my face.

“Well”—she clears her throat—“most of the time.”

That might just be the nicest thing she’s ever said about Wade.

She rolls her eyes at me as if she knows what I’m thinking. “Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

I smile back. “I didn’t say anything.”

“I’m going to get Edna some water.” Wade stands, looking directly at me. “Can I get you anything?”

“I’m good, thanks.”

“Barb?”

“No, thank you.”

“Okay. I’ll be right back.” Wade jogs off, and I do a phenomenal job at not checking out his butt as he goes.

“Do you want me to set up a slow dance for the two of you at the barn dance tonight?” Edna G. snickers.

“Oh, that’s nice of you, but I’m not going to the barn dance. I need to go home and shower for the high school homecoming dance. I’m a chaperone.”

“Hmm.” I can actually see the wheels in her head spinning. “Is Wade a chaperone too?”

“Uh…”—I peek at my mom, shooting her a where-is-this-going look—“yeah, Wade will be at the school too.”

“Looks like another Langford wedding.”

Kind of a big stretch from chaperoning a dance to an impending proposal, but that’s the Ednas for you.

I walk away, leaving them to their outrageous gossip. But instead of feeling annoyed, I’m starting to find the humor in it. The Ednas are growing on me.

Hours pass.

The barn gets bigger.

The walls rise higher.

Walls become a roofline.

By late afternoon, the finished product stands proudly in the middle of the field.

Everyone stands around, clapping and cheering at what they’ve accomplished.

I glance at Wade. He’s absolutely thriving. High-fiving the kids. Shaking hands with the men. Smiling big.

He’s adorable.

And that’s when I decide, he won’t fix me. In fact, he’ll probably damage me in a new and interesting way.

But I think it’s worth exploring tonight at the dance.

Especially since my heart can’t hold out much longer.

Ari