Page 42 of Apple of My Eye
Evan narrows his eyes at me. I smirk back at him as Mom outlines into our detailed schedule, starting with all she expects from booth setup and when she’s slated to drop off her pie.
All of the stalls that frequent the farmers’ market have a dedicated street during the Fall Festival. Despite the harvest not coming in full yet, it is usually our second busiest day of the year behind the opening of U-Pick in late September. I tried to explain that to Nick, how big of a deal it was, but I’m not sure if he understands. He kept harping about his TikTok, how it would drive more people to come visit, but he didn’t seem to realize how many people already turn out at the festival. I don’t know why he thinks a couple videos will make such a big difference.
Evan flops on my bed after dinner, tossing a paperweight apple I’ve had since I was little in one hand. He recites Mom’s plan. ‘So, tomorrow we do the farmers’ market stall in the morning, then we shower and go to the carnival?’ He smiles at me, pure glee on his face. ‘Ilovea carnival.’
I laugh. ‘You’ve only told me that ten times,’ I say, reaching over to give his arm a squeeze. ‘Thank you, seriously, for being here. I’m sorry we have to work. At least you don’t have to wake up super early tomorrow, I’ll get everything set up alone. You can come later with Dad.’
‘Alone?’ Evan asks, a devilish grin widening across his face. ‘Or maybe with .?.?. Nick?’
I narrow my eyes at him. ‘No,’ I correct him, ‘Nick will be setting up the Parkers’. And my mom will be there.’
Evan flips onto his stomach. ‘Whatisgoing on with Nick?’
‘Nothing.’
He raises his eyebrows at me.
‘Seriously. Nothing. Amie, a girl I went to high school with, she’s asking him out.’ I busy myself tidying up the clothes strewn about my room.
‘Mhmm, and how do you know that?’
‘She asked me.’
‘Wait, so you’re telling menothingis going on, but someone asked you if they could ask Nick out? That doesn’t track.’
‘I said yes.’ I shrug my shoulders. ‘She can do whatever she wants.’
‘Have you told Nick about his admirer?’
‘No.’
‘Hmm.’
‘He’ll find out when she asks him.’
‘Yeah.’ Evan tosses the paperweight apple into the air and it lands in his hand with a thud. ‘Have you told him that you wanted to buy the Parkers’ land?’
‘No,’ I admit. I turn away, pretending to focus on putting my clothes in a drawer.
‘OK, so you aren’t going to go out with him because some random wants to date him or because you’ve purposely kept something pretty big from him?’
‘He’s also moving, Evan. You’ll see when you meet him, he’s just .?.?. he’s .?.?. he’s not my type.’
Evan snorts. ‘I don’t think someone I was lying to would be my type either, but OK.’
‘I’m not lying!’
‘You’re not being honest.’
‘I don’t have to tell him.’
‘Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing,’ Evan cautions, abruptly halting his game of toss. His voice softens. ‘Your life can be bigger than this farm, you know.’ And with that, he gives me a loving hug and goes to bed, leaving me tossing and turning all night long.
Chapter Eighteen
Nick
WEEK FOUR
