Page 57 of The Even Odder Couple

Tess puffs out a laugh, and I glance at Clive. “Sorry, man.” I smirk. “I’m sure you’ve got great chopstick techniques. It’s just kind of an inside joke between Tess and me.”

Yeah. That’s right. I went there, bringing up something completely idiotic to establish that I know Tess better than he does.

She cocks her head. “I assumed you couldn’t stay overnight because Mrs. Lockhart is worried about the adults here getting involved. Like, romantically. And, I mean, look at you.” Tess sweeps a hand out to indicate alllll of Clive. She finds him attractive.

Shocker.

I chime in maybe a little too quickly to be subtle. “Anyway, it’s a shame you can’t stay longer, Clive. It’s been a real pleasure talking with you.”

He nods. “Likewise. And I suppose I’ll see you tomorrow, then, for breakfast and lunch. I hope you like waffles and tacos. I won’t be serving fish sticks again anytime soon.”

“Oh, don’t worry about Spencer,” Tess says. “He won’t be around for meals. Only at night.” She shifts her focus to me. “You can leave in the morning as soon as Clive comes back. He’ll be here by—”

“Six o’clock,” Clive chimes in. “Bright and early.”

“Right.” Tess nods. Then to me, she says, “I’m sure you’ll be anxious to get going, since your free time is so limited.”

“I don’t mind staying until my shift. I like helping you out. Helping is good. And when I got here earlier, it sounded to me like you could use more help. You know. Because you were so tired. So let me help. I’m happy to help you, Tess.”

Great. Try saying the wordhelpa few more times, Spence. You don’t sound awkward at all.

“As long as Kayla won’t get the wrong idea,” Tess says. Then she turns to Clive. “Spencer and Kayla work together. They’ve got a whole thing going.”

“No, we don’t,” I say.

“Maybe not yet.” She’s still talking to Clive in a sing-song voice. I like the sound of it. Not the substance. “But theylikeeach other.”

No. We don’t.

“So I can’t have Kayla thinking I’m making moves on Spencer.” Tess finally shifts her gaze back to me. “Like that would ever happen. HA!”

“Right. Never.” My lungs deflate. Of course Tess isn’t interested in me. And I figured as much already. But the fresh evidence makes it hard to breathe. And now I really don’t want to leave her here with Colin Firth the Werewolf any longer than necessary.

“Now that we’ve got all that established,” I say, “you can totally hit the road, Clive. The Granny Smith Inn is great. You’ll love it.”

Tess wrinkles her nose, like a cute, red-headed rabbit. “When haveyouever stayed there?”

“Oh. Well. I.”

I wish you didn’t look so adorable when you’re calling me out. And that you didn’t think Clive’s so good looking or that I’m so disposable.

“I suppose I’ll be on my way, then,” Clive says, rescuing me from having to admit I’ve never been inside The Granny Smith Inn.

“I’ll grab a lantern and walk you to your car,” Tess says. “It’s pretty dark.”

“I’ll come too,” I blurt. I’m being ridiculous, but being ridiculous somehow feels better than imagining Tess in the dark parking lot. With Clive. Alone.

She glances around the campfire. Maddie and the other counselors are dispersed among the kids. “One of us really should stay back to supervise.”

“You’re right.” I nod. “And you’re the director. How aboutIwalk Clive to his car?”

Clive clears his throat. “Thanks. Both of you. But I can manage on my own.” He turns to leave, then looks back over his shoulder. “See you two tomorrow.”

“Can’t wait.” I salute him. “Thanks for the s’mores.”

Tess watches him go, then takes a step back to eye me suspiciously. “Well. That was… unusual.”

Tell me about it. I didn’t just cross the line from helpful to weird, I leaped all the way over it. Like, onto another strange planet entirely. If Tess wasn’t attracted to me before, she’s got to be repelled by me now. I’ve probably ruined any possibility of her looking interested in me in front of Frank. And I want to kick myself even harder foreverthinking I could possibly win this stupid bet.

---