Page 103 of Summer Reading

He looked hurt. I felt terrible but I knew it was for the best in the end. When I told him I loved him, and I would, I didn’t want to have any weirdness overshadowing it.

“Okay,” he said. He reached into his pocket and took out a small digital recorder. He held it out to me.

“What’s this?” I asked. I took it reluctantly as if I didn’t know what to do with it, which was not completely inaccurate.

“I didn’t know what to expect tonight,” he said. “I was prepared for the worst. So I recorded myself reading the rest of our book for you, because I know you’ll want to know how it ends. It’s all queued up. Just press play.”

“Oh, Ben.” My voice was wobbly and tears filled myeyes. The thoughtfulness of his gesture wrecked me, completely wrecked me.

“Good night, Samwise,” he said. He turned and strode over to his motorcycle, which was parked just beyond my car. In one fluid motion, he climbed on the bike and put on his helmet. With a flick of his wrist, the engine fired to life and he was gone.

•••

“Tyler, will you set the table?” I asked. I was in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on dinner. I had chosen to go with the Azorean comfort food my vovó had taught me to make. So it was tuna steaks and asparagus with red bean cake for dessert.

“But I’m meeting Sophie,” he protested.

“Not before dinner,” I said.

“What? Why?” he asked. He stood in the kitchen doorway, looking disgruntled.

I glanced up at him. I was about to heat the oil for the tuna steaks and didn’t have time to debate.

“Because I’m your sister and I need you,” I said.

His eyes went wide. Small wonder. I had never played the sister card before.

“What’s going on?” he asked. “I thought Ben was coming over for dinner.”

“He is,” I said.

“Are you guys fighting?”

“No, but I have to tell him something, and I could use you as a buffer,” I said. “I don’t want to put you in a weird spot, but if you’re here, maybe he’ll relax a little bit before I have to lower the boom.”

“Oh my god, are you pregnant?” He gaped.

“No!” I cried. “Why would you even think that?”

He shrugged. “Maybe it’s because of that stellar sex ed talk you gave me.”

I glared. He grinned.

“But seriously, I would make a fabulous uncle, just sayin’,” he teased.

“Hush your mouth,” I said. “It’s about his search for his father.”

Tyler knew the bare minimum about Ben’s quest, just enough to make his face turn serious.

“Oh,” he said. “Okay, Sis, I’ll text Sophie that I can’t meet up until later.”

“Thanks,” I said. “I really appreciate it.”

I watched as he texted his girl with one hand, wearing a ridiculously adorable grin, and set the table with the other. It occurred to me that if everything did go sideways with Ben, at least I still had Tyler. The thought was oddly comforting.

Everything was ready. I would quickly sear the steaks after he arrived, and so long as Ben was on time, it would taste amazing. I was just pouring water into the glasses when I heard steps on the front porch, and then the screen door banged opened. I took it as agood sign that Ben felt comfortable enough to just come in.

“Hello? Kids?”

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