Page 31 of Rule 5: Never Crush on the Captain

“I agree,” I say. “Evan is awesome.”

Evan ducks his head and concentrates on his food, and I swallow back a smile.

We chat easily through the dinner, then Stella volunteers to clear the plates.

The candles emit a warm glow. Stella returns carrying ice cream.

“That’s not healthy,” Evan says.

“Just a little bit, Daddy. We do have a guest.”

Evan nods. “Lucky us.”

Something in my heart warms.

“Camping, huh?”

Stella nods, her eyes bright.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Evan suck on the ice cream. I swallow hard and try to ignore my racing heart.

Living with Evan, however temporary, certainly hasn’t gotten rid of my crush.

I rise abruptly. “Let’s find that tent, Stella.”

Stella’s gaze darts to Evan, and he nods.

“It’s with the sports equipment,” Stella explains, skipping ahead of me.

CHAPTER TEN

Evan

Vinnie and I are in a tent. It’s not strange at all. Stella is tucked to my right, and Vinnie is to my left.

Nope, not weird.

Okay, it’s totally weird.

Stella has decided she needs a story, and Vinnie has volunteered to tell one, because my head hurts and I can’t think properly. My eyes flutter down as Vinnie’s deep timbre fills the tent.

The tent is big—everything I buy is big, but I’m still aware of Vinnie beside me. Finally, Vinnie ends the story.

I applaud, and Stella cheers beside me.

Even though the room is dark, I’m sure I sense him blushing.

“Okay, time to go to bed now,” I say. “Goodnight, Vinnie. Goodnight, Stella.”

“Goodnight, Daddy. Goodnight, Vinnie.”

“Goodnight,” Vinnie says.

There’s a moment of silence, followed by rustling from Stella. Then Stella sighs. “I prefer my own bed.”

“You do?”

“Yeah. It’s softer.”