Page 91 of His North Star
“I’ve never seen you refuse a treat. What’s wrong?” Mrs. Sheffield asked. I didn’t hear the answer as I crossed the room to get the snacks. At least I sparked a new topic of conversation. Who knew these three were such card sharks?
“How’s it going over there?” Phillip asked, startling me.
“Oh, you know”—I waved in their direction—“heated.” I smiled.
He chuckled. “I put you there to keep the peace. Where’s that handsome fella who came with you last time?”
Warmth crawled across my cheeks. Great, just the mention of his name made my body react. “Oh, um, he’s busy.”
“Too bad. He was courteous and a great help at our star party.”
Of course he managed to be kind to everyone that night, even though our evening hadn’t gone as planned. Ty had this ability to compartmentalize his feelings. So even if he’d had a super crappy day, he never let anyone else see it.
Except me. We’d been friends far too long for him to hide away completely.
“He’s pretty great,” I said.
“Bring him around another time. We’d love to have him.”
“Sure.”
Back at the table, I distributed bowls filled with their requested treats, then picked up the cards that were dealt to me.
“What did Phillip want?” Loretta asked me.
“Oh, just asking after my friend.” I moved all my green cards together.
“He’s quite the looker. Is he single?” Gloria asked.
Mrs. Sheffield lightly whacked her arm. “Didn’t you notice how he kept his eyes on Maren the entire time at the star night? He’s quite taken with her, and therefore not single.”
There it was again. Thelookevery older person claimed Ty gave me. Too bad no one had taken a picture of this famed gaze. I’d like to see it.
“Actually,” my voice squeaked out, “he is single.”
Mrs. Sheffield laughed. And laughed.
What was so funny?
“My dear,” she said between long breaths, “he’s besotted. I know because it’s the same way my Gregory looked at me.”
Besotted? “We’re just friends,” I said as a reflex.
“Your cheeks are as pink as my roses.” Loretta pointed at me.
Yeah, because Charlie told me something that completely messed with my head. “Let’s get back to the game, shall we?” I picked up my cards, paying extra heed to organize by color and descending numbers.
“Is he not who you want?” Mrs. Sheffield asked.
I closed my eyes and dropped my chin toward my chest.Yes, he is.He’s my everything.
“It’s not like that with us.” I shook my head. “Can we please get back to the game?” And stop the confusing messages swirling around inside my brain? At this rate, my head would explode by the end of the night.
“I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to upset you. It’s hard for us to keep quiet when love is on the line.”
I wanted to throw my hands up in the air, admitting defeat when it came to all the people who’d said something about me and Ty.
“I understand,” I said. “I’m just not sure if he really loves me like that. In high school, I heard him telling his friend I was like a sister to him. And I think he’s sweet on his coworker. That’s not the love you build a marriage on.”
