“Afraid not, but it’s not too complicated, and it won’t take long.”
About one hour later, I’m forced to admit that I’m in over my head. Both my arms feel like they’re about to fall off. Sebastian flexes one hand, holds up the other.
“All right everyone, you’ve each had your turn. That was enough. Alex isn’t here to entertain you all day. Say thank you and go back to what you were playing before.”
To my astonishment, the kids don’t argue... out loud. They mutter under their breaths but accept the dismissal.
“That’s some serious group management skill right there,” I tell Sebastian honestly.
“I’ve had plenty of time to exercise. Once they get used to you, it’s easier.”
He throws the comment offhandedly, but I don’t miss the point. Sebastian’s sly, but not sly enough. He wants to know if I plan to stick around.
“I look forward to that,” I reply. “Though I’m not sure how often I can use the excuse of forgetting the cape before I have to explain that flying is a special effect.”
Sebastian whistles, shaking his head. “Wouldn’t want to be in your skin when you have to explain that.”
“I’ll ask Summer for tips.”
“You do that. She’s excellent with kids.”
I’d surmised as much from seeing her interact with the kids at St. Anne’s. But I like seeing Summer from her family’s perspective, piecing together more details about her.
“Come on, let’s go get a drink inside,” Sebastian says. “And by the way, Summer told me and Logan about some trouble with the press. If there’s anything we can do... Bennett Enterprises has a lot of resources. You can count on our support.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
It’s been a long time since anyone offered me their support. Usually, people a
pproach me looking for something from me.
The party’s split into several subgroups, which isn’t at all surprising, given the sheer number of people. Several, Summer included, are sitting in the gazebo, another group is huddled around the grill.
Laughter reverberates throughout the yard, and I swear to God, the sound is contagious.
The interior of the house is eerily quiet compared to the mix of voices outside. Sebastian leads me through the foyer into a vast living and dining room.
“Ah, I knew you’d eventually find your way to the bar,” Daniel says from the other end of the room, where a bar has been set up. His brother Blake is with him.
It’s a good thing I didn’t bet against Summer that Daniel would have my back, because I would have lost spectacularly. As far as brother’s duty is concerned, I could take notes.
“Alex, I like you, but if you break my baby sister’s heart, you’re going to have a big problem on your hands,” Daniel says, pointing at himself.
“Two,” Blake puts in. “We’ve got her back.”
I nod. “Fair enough.”
The rest of the day is a whirlwind of activity, with eating, talking to every Bennett, and yet another round of stunt performance for the kids.
Usually when I meet new people, especially a group as large as this one, I’m on the defensive. But I’m relaxed around this lot. It helps that, aside from the kids, no one gives a damn about my being an actor. I like watching people interact—learn a lot about approaching roles, slipping into other people’s skin. And watching the Bennett family paints a picture of a group who sticks together no matter what, who doesn’t mind going the extra mile, or balk when the going gets tough. I can see where Summer got that quiet strength of hers.
By the time Summer and I head back to the city in the afternoon, I’m wrung out. But she’s smiling ear to ear, holding the peonies I bought her this morning. I’ll be damned if I’ve seen her so happy before.
“Did you have fun?” she asks as I veer the car out of her parents’ property.
“I did. Thank you for trusting me enough to invite me here. You know who is actually laid-back? Your dad. He didn’t give me a single warning.”
“Umm... well, he knows my brothers took the job of intimidating my dates, so he can just lay back and watch.”