Page 6 of Just Friends

Mrs. Whittaker would not let this go. He could have told Rebecca to save her breath, but everyone deserves their chance to talk their way out of a knitted gift. Although, Weasel had yet to find an explanation that worked and now owned several hand-knitted scarves and hats. She pulled a beautiful deep green and black shawl from the container and draped it on Rebecca; the green made her eyes pop. “There,” Mrs. Whittaker said satisfied.

Rebecca stunned. “This is too much.”

Mrs. Whittaker waived away the assumption. She beamed up at Weasel and grabbed his chin. “You’re such a good boy.”

They thanked Mrs. Whittaker repeatedly for their gifts and left her when customers approached the tent. He felt Rebecca shaking and realized she was laughing. He looked at her inquisitively.

Her smile broadened. “Awe, you’re such a good boy,” she laughed.

He chuckled. “She makes it sound like I’m a toddler. You, somehow, make it sound like I’m a damn dog.”

“Who’s a good boy? Who’s a good boy?” she repeated in the baby talk voice reserved for canines.

He leaned into her hair and barked softly in her ear. “Ruff, ruff, grr.”

In her laughter, she rested her head against his arm, again. Noticing every moment, she leaned into him, and she still had his hand. It would be easy to pull her to him and taste her lips again. He’d wanted to ever since kissing her behind the DJ booth at Huntington Farms. Weasel fought that impulse because he still didn’t know why she rejected him. He would take his time with her. They ambled through the crowd holding hands.

“I guess we should find the others,” she said.

She guessed? Did she prefer to be alone with him longer? He had no problem there. He nodded. “We can walk around on our own.”

“I better get my stuff, and I’m hungry.”

Well, damn. “Then, let’s get some food.”

“You are a good boy.”

“Shit, don’t make me growl at you again.”

Laughing she rolled her eyes at him and shook her head.

???

They found Hannah, Justin, Autumn, Daniel, Ben, and Brandon at a folding table set up in the makeshift courtyard surrounded by food trucks. Their friends were into their meal. Autumn was the first to notice them. “There you are,” she announced. Rebecca released his hand in the approach. She’d kept ahold of him because it was comforting and that was the story she was sticking to.

She plopped in the chair beside Autumn. “Sorry for disappearing.”

“It’s not your fault,” Hannah said. “He was creepy.”

“How’d you find Weasel?” Brandon asked.

She tried to remember. “I think I ran into him, literally.” She glanced to see if he was nearby. “Where’d he go?”

“Food line,” Dan replied.

Should have known. Rebecca pulled her jacket on over the shawl and relaxed into the warmth. The temperature had dropped along with the sun and her energy levels.

“Too bad I wasn’t here,” Dan said. “I’d have never let it get that far.”

Rebecca shrugged. No point in worrying about it after the fact. Her friend’s fiancé, a former Green Beret, would have easily handled the clown. Daniel could be intimidating if you didn’t know him. They had arrived at the Harvest Festival earlier to browse the craft booths, hang out, and had planned to meet the men later. Now that Autumn and Daniel were engaged and had a baby and Hannah married Justin, things were changing in the group. Weasel had started trying to get in her pants again, and it seemed like it would be too much trouble for a one-night stand. Although, some guys only want what they can’t have.

A tray of food came down in front of her. Weasel grabbed a chair and made Brandon scoot over cramming himself next to her. Without a word, he rearranged food in front of her; removed food for himself; then handed her a straw. He dove into his hamburger, and she sipped the drink he brought her. Everyone at the dinner table had gone silent and were staring at them. She ignored them, and he ate in oblivion.

“So,” Weasel broke the silence, “have you guys seen any other clowns walking around here?” He chewed fries while the others looked at each other. “Cause, I’m trying to figure out if he was a hired entertainer or what that jack-off was up to.”

None of them recalled if there were more clowns. Rebecca tried to think, but she didn’t remember. At the memory of the clown, her chest tightened, and breathing became more difficult as panic rose. His hand was on her knee. “You all right?” he whispered. She nodded and exhaled. Since he’d gone through the trouble to bring her food, she picked up the burger and would try to eat, but the world closed around her. He moved closer, his breath in her ear, and then he barked softly. The tension fell from her shoulders as a smile then a laugh escaped her lips. She covered her mouth but couldn’t hold back. He barked at her again, and she leaned against him giggling. They were the only ones laughing.

“Where’d you get that shawl,” Autumn asked. It was a clear effort to change the subject. She appreciated the gesture and wondered if they had exchanged some looks, she hadn’t noticed.

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