Page 24 of Through the Storm

As I step back onto the porch, I realize that showing up for her feels easier than staying away.

KATY

Rebecca decided I looked tragically pale and demanded I come over to Ella’s house to read by the pool, as if a tan might fix my life.

She’s been watching me for the last ten minutes with that calm, mildly smug expression I’ve noticed she gets like she’s already three steps ahead of everyone else. “So,” she starts casually, stirring her lemonade, “I heard Ben brought muffins.”

Ella perks up immediately. “Homemade healthy muffins. He asked me to help.”

“He called them Ella-approved,” I add.

Ella grins. “They were. Seriously, it was adorable. He’s trying to be the world’s most helpful human. How cute is that?”

I snort. “He’s just being… Ben.”

Rebecca hums. “Mm.”

Ella sits up, elbows on her knees. “Yeah, that’s Ben. But he’s always had a soft spot for you. He even backed out of the St. Tropez trip. Said he wanted to be here for you.” She squints. “He’s going to be helpful forever, Katy. His golden retriever mode has been fully activated.”

“He did? He canceled a trip? To St. Tropez?” Oh God. I didn’t even know they had a trip planned. I definitely didn’t know he gave one up for me. I don’t know what to do with that information.

“Mm-hmm.” Rebecca looks at me with that knowing smirk again.

“Well,” I say, too fast.

Both of them look at me.

“Wellwhat?” Ella asks.

I open my mouth. Close it. Sigh. “Well… he’s actually in the running.”

Silence.

Rebecca leans back in her lounger, completely unshocked. “I knew it.”

“You did?”

“Katy,” she says gently, “you look at him like you forgot how blinking works. And he looks at you like he’s terrified of failing a test he didn’t study for.”

Ella’s mouth drops open. “WAIT, WHAT?”

“Biologically,” I add quickly. “He could be. So… he might be.”

Ella freezes.

Then her eyes go wide.

“Oh my God.”

Rebecca closes her eyes. “Here we go.”

“Oh my GOD,” Ella squeals, jumping up. “THIS MEANS…”

“No,” I warn.

“THIS MEANS THIS BABY COULD BE MYDOUBLE NEPHEW.”

I stare at her. “Your…”