“No, no, no,” she said. “Just water and a few crackers, please.”
“Ben?” Sebastian asked.
“I’ll have a banana.”
He passed out water and food, glad for the chance to give her something, even something small.
They stood around the island, snacking, talking. The whole time, Sebastian could sense Ben’s suspicion.
Leah looked between them with interest. “How long have you two been friends?”
“Nineteen years,” Sebastian answered.
“I’m envious. I wish I’d had a friendship like yours.”
“How come you didn’t?” Sebastian asked.
“I made some good friends back when I was around the same age that you were when you became friends. But then we all went separate directions when we were eighteen. One of them lives in California. One in Florida. One in New York. I’ve kept in touch with most of them, but less and less as the years passed.” She adjusted her barrette. “I’m convinced that you two are the gold standard in male friendships.”
It didn’t feel like that at the moment, since he was certain Ben wanted to punch him and he’d like to punch Ben back.
“Nah,” Ben said good-naturedly. “We’re not the gold standard. We’re just two normal guys.”
“Who were rescued from earthquake rubble by a supernatural act of God?” she asked dryly.
Ben released an amused whistle.
“What do you like best about each other?” she asked.
“I like that Ben’s loyal,” Sebastian said.
“Sebastian’s determined. More than any other person I know, he gets things done.”
“Okay. So what drives you crazy about the other?”
Ben lifted his eyebrows. “You really want to stir that pot?”
“I do. What drives you crazy about Sebastian?”
“He’s opinionated, and he’ll fight for his side, even when he’s wrong.”
“That’s true,” Sebastian told her.
“What drives you crazy about Ben?” She broke a cracker in half and popped a piece into her mouth.
“Instead of confronting me, he’ll sometimes stay quiet about the things I do that bother him.”
“Also true,” Ben said.
She ate the rest of the cracker.
“Have you demoted us from the gold standard?” Sebastian asked.
“Not in the least.”
“I realize that I haven’t known you as long as I’ve known Sebastian,” Ben said to her. “But you do have a friend in me, Leah.”
“I know,” she said. “I’m thankful.”
If these two became a couple, he’d have to see them together often. If they married, he’d attend their wedding. Then he’d visit them at their first house. Then he’d hold their baby in his arms.
The thought filled his body with a wash of dismay.
A knock sounded, immediately followed by the whoosh of the front door. “We’re here!” a feminine voice called.
“In the kitchen,” Ben called back.
Natasha and her younger sister, Genevieve, pulled up short when they saw a stranger in their midst.
Ben performed the introductions, finishing with, “This is Leah Montgomery, the most outstanding advanced math teacher in Georgia.”
Understanding swept across both sisters’ faces as they realized that this was the Leah Ben had been talking about for months.
“I’m delighted to meet you,” Genevieve said.
“Ben’s great, isn’t he?” Natasha asked.
“We adore Ben,” Genevieve explained.
“Can you confirm my suspicion that Ben’s the best science teacher in Georgia?” Natasha asked.
“Since I’m not acquainted with all the science teachers in Georgia,” Leah answered, “I’m afraid that I can’t say that definitively. But my best guess is yes.”
“I knew it,” Natasha said to Ben.
“We knew it,” Genevieve corrected.
“Are you here to help us with yard work?” Natasha asked Leah.
“If not, you’re still allowed to stay.” Genevieve lifted the stack of cookies she’d brought from Tart Bakery. “I came under the guise of planting flowers, but I’m mostly planning to eat cookies, talk, and maybe drink iced tea.”
“I don’t have iced tea,” Sebastian said.
“Dream killer,” Genevieve murmured.
“Actually,” Leah said, “I was out walking when Sebastian saw me, and I stopped to chat. I have a few more miles to go, so I’ll head out.”
“We’ll be trimming hedges,” Ben said to Leah. “I know you can’t resist trimming hedges.”
“Amazingly, I can.” Her lips curved. “Thanks for the house tour and the food, Sebastian.”
“You’re welcome.”
Her gaze remained on him. “I’ll be driving to Atlanta next month so that Dylan can tour colleges. I’ve been trying to introduce him to various career tracks in a desperate attempt to motivate him and was wondering if it might be possible to bring him by your hospital while we’re there.”
“Of course,” Sebastian answered. “Just text me and let me know when you’d like to come by.”
“Will do.”
“We’ll walk you out.” Genevieve and Natasha ushered her away before Sebastian could say good-bye. “Here, let me give you my number!” Genevieve said, then the sound of feminine voices faded to quiet.
Ben frowned at him. “Dude.”
“Everything happened the way she said. I was trying to get my lawnmower to start. I looked up, and I saw her walking by.”
“What was she doing, walking in this part of town? She doesn’t live anywhere near here.”
“She told me she gets bored walking her neighborhood, so she likes to branch out and walk other people’s neighborhoods.”
“Seems like a weird coincidence that she walked right by your house.”
“I agree.”
“What were you guys doing upstairs?”
“She asked for a tour of the house.”
Ben’s mouth tensed. “Is anything going on between you two?”
“No.”
Long pause. “Okay,” Ben said.
“Really?”
“Yeah.” Ben had always been slow to anger and quick to let anger go.
Natasha and Genevieve returned. “Ben!” Genevieve took hold of his shoulders. “She’s beautiful.”
“She really is,” Natasha echoed.
“I’m glad you two finally got to meet her,” Ben said.
The sisters went on and on about Leah.
Natasha, a mother of two, was currently on leave from practicing law. She was fit, blond, practical, and, in his opinion, slightly eccentric. She’d completed what she’d called “A Year of Living Austenly,” and this year had kicked off “A Year of Living C. S. Lewisly.” A few weeks back, she’d told him about the theology she’d been reading, the letters she’d been writing, and her determination to smoke a pipe before the year was out.
Natasha’s younger sister, Genevieve, had long hair, browner at the top and blonder at the bottom. He’d never caught her without makeup, nail polish, earrings, and a coordinated outfit. Outgoing and self-deprecating, she’d surprised him by building an extremely successful career as a Bible study author and Christian speaker.