I sat up and snorted. "That's debatable."
Sebastian gave up on recruiting me to join him on his run, and we soon fell into an easy silence. After a bit, we began a conversation about the campers. Sitting side-by-side on the grassy hillside, he told me how he'd taken it upon himself to tame the unruly Seth Darling.
"He's a good kid at heart," Sebastian insisted.
Wary, I replied, "If you say so."
"He is, Brooks. He just craves attention."
"That's a nice way to put it," I said dryly.
Sorry, but it was going to take a while for me to be converted over to a Seth fan, if that were even possible.
I swiftly changed the subject. "So, what are you majoring in at UNC?"
Sebastian scooted closer, our hips almost touching. "Are you ready for this one?"
He smiled charmingly, and I nodded.
"Archaeology."
"Wow." I stretched my legs out in front of me, and when I looked up Sebastian was staring at my limbs, want and longing in his gaze. Or so I hoped.
"Um," I went on. "That is an unusual major."
He leaned in and said, "It's my passion, Brooks."
Oh, my!
"You should definitely follow your passion."
My words were a reminder to myself, as well. And what my passion was at that moment was for Sebastian to kiss me.
"Definitely," he whispered in agreement, his lips almost brushing the lobe of my ear.
I was feeling warmer and warmer as he asked, "What are you majoring in?"
"Art History?" I squeaked out.
He pulled back. "Is that a question, or your major?"
"No, no." I shook my head. "It's my major."
"Hmm…."
He leaned in close again, and this time I turned to him. We were in position, and there was nothing to stop our lips from meeting.
I mentally fist-pumped the air. Yes! My first kiss, finally.
But then—BAM!—all hell broke loose.
A bucketload of acorns rained down on us, ruining the moment in spectacular fashion.
Jumping apart, I shielded my head from the painful onslaught. "Ouch, ouch, ouch."
When the acorn storm stopped, Sebastian muttered, "What the fuck?"
Peering up into the thick branches, he slowly shook his head and rolled his eyes. Hmm, I had a feeling I knew where all those acorns had come from, and the accompanying giggle confirmed it.
"Seth," I hissed under my breath.
"Get down here, right now," an authoritative Sebastian barked to our mini assailant.
"Told you he wasn't 'darling,'" I mumbled.
Obeying Sebastian, the little brat shimmied down the trunk of the tree. But as soon as Seth's feet hit the ground, he was off.
Sebastian jumped up and took off after him.
And me, I was left sitting in a pile of acorns, another kiss interrupted.
Chapter Five
Lost In You
The final night of camp there was a pizza party planned for the kids down at the pool. I knew it was also my last night to potentially kiss Sebastian.
The days had flown by with a flurry of activities with the campers. There were more nature hikes, lots of swimming, art classes, and a raucous game of softball where I tagged out Seth Darling. Go, me.
Through it all I'd hung out with Sebastian—a lot—but he still hadn't kissed me.
Alas, perhaps he'd been frightened off by all the foiled attempts. I hoped that wasn't the case, but who knew? Still, hope was a persistent bitch, and she held me in her clutches.
At the end of the day, and after the kids were sent to their cabins to get ready for the pool party, Lacey and I returned to the main cabin. I'd promised to let her pick out which swimsuit I should wear for the party. Oh, and Lacey also insisted I let her do my hair and makeup. She'd been very insistent on all those points.
But, midway through the makeup part of things, I had to ask, "Why are you doing my makeup, anyway? It'll just get washed off in the pool."
Lacey instructed me to close my eyes so she could get my eyeliner just right. "You'll be fine," she said. "Just don't go underwater. Besides, I'm using mostly all waterproof stuff."
All righty.
After my hair was curled and fluffed to perfection, and my makeup complete, Lacey inventoried the three swimsuits I'd brought to camp. She quickly vetoed the two modest one-piece suits, and threw me the black bikini I was rapidly regretting packing.
"Lacey, this is too skimpy," I protested, though I knew my reservations would be ignored.
She held up her hand to silence any further protests. "Trust me on this one, okay. Wear the black bikini."
Guess who won that battle? A half an hour later, there I was, arriving at the pool in the black bikini.
The kids had eaten their pizza earlier, and the party was in full swing. The campers were splashing around in the pool, having a great time. Mike and Ginny were on lifeguard duty, their usual gig, and it seemed Tim had been appointed deejay.
Sebastian, Lacey, and I were assigned to keep an eye on the kids, to make sure everyone played nice.
So, where's Sebastian? I mused as I scanned the area.