Page 65 of Maybe We Can Fake It

“Sure. What’s up?”

As he explains that one of his employees is on a job site and needs a part picked up and brought over to him, I continue directing Leo with hand gestures. We’re just about done here, so I should have time to run the errand.

“No problem,” I tell him.

“Thanks,” Dad says. “Christ, I can’t wait to get back to work. All this sitting around on my ass is killing me.”

I understand where he’s coming from, but thinking about his fall is still a bit scary for me. “You’re resting, which is what you’re supposed to do,” I remind him. “Because falling off a ladder is what actually could’ve killed you. So when you do go back to work, you need to promise me you’ll be more careful, okay?”

“Hey, who’s the parent here?” he gripes.

“Dad. Please.”

He heaves out a loud sigh. “Yeah, yeah, all right. I hear ya.”

While listening to him complain about something else, I gather stuff up so me and Leo can leave. As I’m finishing, I spot Elise and Grant rounding the gazebo and strolling down the path that cuts through the middle of the green. Elise smiles and waves when she sees me.

I give her a wave in return, though the gesture feels unnatural. I don’t make it a habit of waving to people I spot in town. If I did that, then I’d never get anything done, because every person would want to stop and gossip. I don’t have the time for that or the interest.

But May’s grandparents would likely be coming over to talk whether I waved or not, so I hastily tell my dad I need to go and promise to pick up that part for his employee. Can’t have him overhearing anything incriminating Elise or Grant might say.

“Do you mind throwing this stuff in the back of my truck?” I ask Leo as they approach us. “I’ll be right there to drive you back to the inn.”

He takes everything without complaint, and I’m ashamed of my relief at getting rid of both him and my dad. I don’t want anything to blow Brenden’s cover, but really, I’m worried about my own secret just as much. And I guess it’s a little ridiculous that I’m a grown ass man still afraid of what my dad might think of me if he found out I wasn’t straight.

But I don’t have the time to dwell on my issues, because Elise and Grant reach me right as Leo walks off the other direction.

“Travis, hi!” Elise greets me. “It’s a gorgeous day, isn’t it?”

“Sure is,” I reply, offering her a smile.

Grant gestures to what’s set up behind me. “Is this your booth? I thought Brenden said you refuse to have a booth at the festivals.”

I frown, because while that’s true, it kind of makes me sound like an ass, doesn’t it? “I serve people all day long inside the diner,” I explain somewhat defensively. “I’d rather not walk outside and have to do the same thing.”

Elise laughs. “I suppose that’s fair. So what’s this then?”

“Oh, it’s Brenden’s. The booth for the inn is always a big draw. His chef, Addison, has been baking for days to prepare.”

The way they’re both smiling at me now is weird.

“You do a lot for him, don’t you?” Grant asks.

Crap.

“No, I, uh...” That’s exactly the kind of thing Brenden doesn’t want them to think. He wants them to think he’s capable of doing things on his own. Which he is.

“It’s obvious you really care about him,” Elise says.

Oh.Maybe my instinct to help him reveals more about my feelings for him than his capabilities.

“It’s clear how much you care about May too,” she goes on. “And May adores you. She speaks very highly of you. We’re glad Brenden found such a good man.”

Are my ears turning red? They feel hot. I’m not used to people singing my praises.

“I care about them both a lot,” I admit, ducking my head. “But believe me, I’m lucky Brenden even looked my way. He’s so... warm. And charming. He could have anyone he wanted.”

“And he wantsyou,” Grant says. “So that says something about you.”

---