Page 45 of Apple of My Eye
–Cherry hand pies (Mrs. Marple makes a great one)
–Kettle corn (Lyle and Son’s Potato Farm, don’t ask me how they execute on this, but trust it)
–Apple cinnamon barbecue (ribs or brisket sandwich)
–Carmel apples (Moody’s or Hal’s)
‘I told him.’
‘What?’ Evan’s mouth drops open, revealing a mouth full of kettle corn. He is carrying a half-eaten cherry hand pie and the remnants of a brisket sandwich. He swallows. ‘Which thing? You told him about the farm? Or Amie? Was it Amie? You’re such a martyr.’
I roll my eyes. ‘I amnot. I told him both.’ I raise my eyebrows.See, I think,I can have hard conversations.
Evan’s eyes widen. ‘Damn, girl, you executed quick.’
‘Well, you got in my head! I had a nightmare about him finding out. And then I saw him this morning and he was helping my mom, and I thought about him fixing Mrs. Parker’s potholes and how much he loves his mom, and .?.?. well .?.?. it just kind of came out.’
Evan completely stops moving, unable to talk and walk and eat. ‘OK,’ he processes, ‘so you felt bad lying to an angel, which for the record, I would have too.’ He creates a small pileup behind us as we take up most of the sidewalk. ‘What did he say when you told him the truth?’
‘Come on—’ I tug his elbow ‘—we’ve got to get back to our stand. I’ll tell you on the way.’
I start by explaining how confused Nick seemed by the idea of Amie asking him out.
‘Confused as in he’s into you—you know that, right? Don’t be another one of those dumb girls who can’t read the obvious signs.’
‘Well, we did make out in the laundry room last week,’ I mumble.
‘Eloise!’ Evan gasps so loudly the woman in front of us jumps. ‘You made out with him and then told him someone else was going to ask him out? That’s insane behavior.’
‘Ugh,’ I groan. I cover my face with my hands, peeling apart two fingers to stare at Evan with one eye. ‘He is a really good kisser,’ I whisper.
‘I could have told you that,’ Evan declares ‘and I haven’t even met the guy!’
‘It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t even live here!’
‘Exactly. He’s only here for the summer, so maybe the two of you should consider a no-strings-attached summer fling.’
I sigh but I don’t try to fight it. ‘It was just weird,’ I admit, ‘the way he reacted to me wanting to buy the Parkers’ farm.’
‘I don’t blame him at all. If what you’re telling me is right, and who knows these days because you’re hiding some stuff as of late, you made out with him, never discussed it, told him a different girl wanted to ask him out,and thenyou also told him you have all these weird feelings about his job.’
I squirm.
‘So,’ Evan prompts.
We swing around a gaggle of teens queuing for donuts. ‘He was so .?.?. nice about it.’
‘Why is that weird? Everyone has been practically screaming about how nice he is. God, I can’t wait to meet him,’ Evan adds the last part under his breath. ‘Nick Russo, Adonis extraordinaire.’
‘Heisnice,’ I say, ‘but something felt different about it. Like he was nice and also sad? I’m not sure .?.?. I’m definitely overthinking it.’
‘Definitely,’ Evan agrees. ‘Maybe he was just bummed you hadn’t told him sooner?’
‘Maybe.’ I shrug. ‘He said “business is business, right?” and I just sort of agreed and that was it. Then we drank our coffee.’
Evan slows down, glancing at me curiously. ‘Do you really believe that? That business is business?’
‘I guess .?.?. I mean .?.?. it has to be. I think it’s both of our first priorities.’
