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Michael leaned his shoulder against the wall, a soft smile playing on his lips. He was happy for Maeve. She and Ethan would be very happy together. Anyone with a lick of sense knew that and had known it since they were all kids together.
Ethan's extroverted carefreeness and Maeve’s more watchful and reserved personalities would keep their relationship balanced. She would pull him down from the clouds and he would push her out of her comfort zone.
As witnessed by this morning’s surf lesson, he thought with a chuckle.
“Cake?”
He nodded as Gavin handed him a plate, then leaned against the wall himself. “Thanks,” Michael murmured, taking a large bite. Geez, his cousin could cook. It paid to be related to the Harrisons. World class food for free. No one could top that.
“What’s got that smoke coming out of your ears?” Gavin questioned.
Michael snorted. “Smoke? The wheels aren’t turning that hard.”
Gavin shrugged. “Something’s churning in there. Figuring out your lesson plans for tomorrow?”
Michael chuckled. “Nah. They’re set for the year. Though how to keep the kids engaged is another story. This is the time of year when they start feeling like it’ll all last forever and they get antsy.”
“I thought that was only the little guys,” Gavin said. “In middle school they have sports and other activities. Doesn’t that help?”
Michael shook his head. “Nope. They still can’t sit still.”
“I’m so glad I don’t have your job.”
“I don’t know...putting out fires and teaching literature to tweens and teens carries about the same amount of danger.”
Gavin’s laughter was heavy and low. He was a large guy and his voice, though usually quiet, had a depth to it that few others could pull off. “I’ll stick with the fires.”
“And the weight benches.” Michael frowned. “Is it my imagination, or are you getting bigger?”
Gavin smirked. “It’s the off season,” he said. “Gotta do something to keep busy.”
Michael nodded. “Understandable. Wildfires are a lot less frequent during the winter and I don’t usually hear of too many house or business fires around here.”
Gavin shook his head. “Nope. Not too many. Which is a blessing...and a curse.” He gave a jerk of his chin. “I’m gonna go get a drink. Want anything?”
“Nah. I’m fine here in my little corner, thanks.”
Shaking his head good naturedly, Gavin weaved through the crowd.
Michael sighed and set himself back into people watching. Slowly, his group of friends was starting to pair off. First Aspen, followed by Mason and Harper. Now it was Ethan and Maeve. What was interesting was how long they’d all known each other and the last two engagements were people finding love within their group.
He tilted his head, letting his eyes linger on the other women he was friends with. There was Riley, of course. She was close with his cousins. She was peppy and fun and her light blue eyes would attract any man’s attention.
Michael blew out a breath. Nope. Not that one. She was his friend and he never found himself wanting to push those boundaries.
A flash of red caught his attention and Michael watched Brielle throw her head back and laugh at something Jayden was saying. Brielle was also beautiful, in her own way. Long, wavy hair and brown eyes. She was spunky, said what was on her mind and loved to try and keep up with the boys,” as she put it.
Michael shook his head again. That wasn’t for him. He liked his quiet life and time spent with Brielle was anything but quiet.
He let his eyes wander again. His mother would be so disappointed in his lack of interest. He was one of the oldest of the cousins and now that there were two getting married, she would be pushing him to find his significant other. But single females seemed to be getting thin on the ground, at least amongst those he was familiar with.
For the umpteenth time, he debated whether he should look to start next fall in a bigger city. There was something to be said for the peaceful familiarity of a small town. Michael had his students for multiple years and got to be good friends with a few. He enjoyed knowing all the parents and being able to work one-on-one with children in a way that larger schools and areas couldn’t handle.
But knowing everyone since birth also makes for a hard social life.
“We’re so glad you made it!” Aspen gushed, jerking Michael’s attention away from his musing. Aspen was hugging someone at the front door and Michael frowned, unable to figure out who had been missing.
Dark, nearly black corkscrew curls were pulled up into a bun with a few straw spirals framing an oval face.
Quinn, Michael said to himself. He’d forgotten about her. She was fairly new to Seagull Cove and Michael had yet to be introduced, though they’d attended a couple of events with the group. Quinn had opened an antique shop in town, which was a perfect addition to every small coastal city along the Pacific coastline.
He watched her smile shyly and tuck back a curl, only for it to spring right back where it wanted to be.
Michael laughed softly to himself. He couldn’t see her eye color from his corner, but they looked much lighter than her hair, creating an interesting contrast. Her skin was a study in porcelain, giving her a slightly paranormal look. She could easily pull off a vampire anytime she wanted with a simple swipe of red lipstick.
She was taller than his cousin and willowy in a way the Italian Harrisons lacked. While no one would ever mistake Quinn for anything but a woman, her curves were much more subtle.
He found himself slowing down in his cake consumption as he watched her. Something about the line of her jaw and the tenderness of her smile kept his attention. Her movements were fluid and elegant and when she finally spoke, it seemed that her hands were an active part of the conversation.
There were scores of poems and ballads written about women just like Quinn. Her ethereal beauty was the kind that Medieval men went to war over and Michael could just see some soldier declaring his undying love to her before shipping across seas.
“There’s that smoke again.”
Michael blinked, finally wrenching his mind out of his too wild imagination. His love of stories and fantasy didn’t always serve him well in social situations. “Are you feeling more hydrated now?” Michael asked, hoping no one had noticed his staring.
Gavin huffed. “Yeah. But I’m about ready to blow this joint. The cake’s gone and no one will stop talking about dates and dresses.” He raised an eyebrow. “Do school teachers ever play hooky?”
Michael cleared his throat, still trying to force his brain into an appropriate line of thought. “Uh, yeah. Sure. I’m done here.” His eyes flashed to those dark curls one more time and his curiosity went up yet another notch. Maybe he hadn’t quite ruled out all the possibilities in this town.
He’d muse on it for a while, but he was starting to think that a trip to the newest shop in town just might be in his future.
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