#austinbell

[persimmonsimmer]

After that, Trevor felt obligated to at least offer the stranger a real apology. After all, it wasn't his fault Nancy'd taken it upon herself to try to set him up even though she knew that was the last thing in the world he'd want.

The new community garden might have been pretty (Nancy would probably say romantic) if most of the plants hadn't already gone dormant for the winter. But Trevor wasn't looking for a romantic setting--just privacy.

"Look," he said. "Um. I'm sure you're very nice, and I'm sorry Nancy dragged you out here, but I'm just not interested in dating."

"A kind attempt to spare my feelings," the trader said, one eyebrow quirked.

"No, I mean, it's not that you're unattractive--"

"Oh?" the trader smirked.

Trevor looked away, blushing. "It's just that I'm not looking for a relationship. It's too complicated."

"Ah. Nursing a heartbreak, are we? Or is it that you’re afraid even of inviting the possibility?"

Trevor bristled.

"I might say you have nothing to fear from me," Austin said. "To my knowledge, I've never broken any hearts. I tend to drive people away with my personality long before we get that far."

Despite himself, Trevor snorted.

The trader arched his brow again, a provoking habit that made Trevor feel as though he were the one being laughed at.

"It is a shame, though," the trader murmured, looking him up and down. "You're not unattractive, yourself."

His face hot, Trevor cleared his throat. "Yeah, sure. Anyway, I have to go. So . . . have a nice life, or something? Or, sorry, that sounded sarcastic. I just don't really know what you're supposed to say to someone you'll never see again."

The other man waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, I'm sure I'll be seeing you around. My work has been taking me through Panorama more and more often these days."

Great. Just what I need--regular reminders of today's awkwardness.

"I guess I'll see you around, then," he said.

[persimmonsimmer]

Panorama extra

This didn't fit the tone of the scene, but I can't resist sharing. The first kiss cutscene will never not be adorable.

[persimmonsimmer]

As worried as he was about Justin, Trevor had a store to run.

It had snowed all night, piling up several inches deep, the kind of snow Panorama saw only once every few winters.

Snow was bad for business. It was probably hardly worth his time to open the store today, but Trevor needed the money. He sent a quick prayer to the Watcher that at least a few customers would show up.

What he never expected was that one of those few would be that maddening blond trader--Austin.

"Back again? I thought you said there was nothing here for you."

Austin turned to face him, an arch smile on his lips. "Blame my weakness for pretty things."

"You must have been more impressed with my craftsmanship than you let on."

"Amusing. But I wasn't referring to the toys."

"Ah, Trev?" Nancy said.

"What?" Trevor was startled. For a moment he'd almost forgotten she was there.

"We're running low on inventory. Could you grab a few more pieces from the workroom? Take your time," she added, wearing a gloating grin. "I can handle things out here."

The workroom door opened and closed behind Trevor with a soft click.

"Employees only," he said.

"I didn't see any signage to that effect," Austin responded.

Trevor cleared his throat. "Listen, it's not that . . . I mean, I'm flattered, really, but . . . I told you, I'm not interested in a relationship."

"And what gave you the impression I want a relationship with you? A rather egotistical assumption, don't you think?" The trader's full lips tugged upward into his characteristic smirk.

Trevor did the only thing he could think of to wipe it away.

[persimmonsimmer]

"Um, guys?"

"Why does it look like that trader Austin is here?" Leonor asked. "You know, the guy who was a total jerk to me at Miguel's first birthday party?"

"Um." Nancy shuffled guiltily.

"Nancy?!"

"So yeah, I kind of invited him? For Trevor!" Nancy added quickly. "He won't bother you at all, I promise."

"He's seeing Trevor now?"

"Kind of? I mean, there's definitely something there. They just need a push. I thought maybe today would be a good chance for them to get to know each other better . . ."

"So you're, like, their matchmaker? That's kind of sweet, actually," Leonor said, her penchant for romance overcoming her annoyance. "As long as you're sure he's not going to, like, make a scene or challenge Al to a duel or something--"

"Believe me, Lele," Nancy said. "He's over you."

"Well . . . I guess it's all right. But you didn't invite anyone else without asking, right? Remember, it's supposed to be just family and close friends . . ."

"Well . . . haha, funny thing . . . I might have also kind of invited Carl's new assistant or whatever? You know, Sam?"

"Oh, Nancy . . ."

[persimmonsimmer]

The crowd converged on the newlyweds, congratulations coming from all sides.

"You're officially family now, Al," Cintia said. "Welcome. And make her happy."

"You looked so happy up there together," another voice offered.

"Here's to the newlyweds!"

"To the Sprongs!"

Austin found himself almost side by side with the bride. "Leonor. I'd hoped to have a word."

Leonor looked up at him dubiously, but followed him as he wound his way through the crowd to a quieter spot.

"I owe you an apology," he said. "The way I spoke to you last was pettish and undeserved."

"I appreciate that," she said. This wasn't a day for grudges. "But, like, in a way it was for the best. Not that you were anything but a jerk last time I saw you," she added. "But if it weren't for that I might not have ended up with Al. So, thank you."

"You're wholeheartedly welcome," Austin smiled.

[persimmonsimmer]

Trevor: "So you and Leonor made up?"

Austin: "Jealousy looks rather fetching on you."

Trevor: "Ha."

Austin: "We're on track to become the best of friends. Though I'm not sure I can forgive her for not mentioning me in her vows. I'm more or less to thank for bringing the happy couple together in the first place, you know."

Trevor: "You're completely full of it."

Guests mingled, grabbed drinks from the bar, reminisced about old times. Nancy gave her sister a hug and a congratulations, then made her way over to the out-of-the-way corner where Sam had installed herself.

Nancy: "Hey. I'm glad you were able to make it."

Sam shrugged without meeting her eyes.

Sam: "I figured since I'm right next door I could at least make an appearance."

Nancy: "Oh."

Sam: "I think I heard my name--excuse me."

Citlali had promised Peter a chance to catch up, but it was proving impossible to get another moment with her. If her attention wasn't being taken up by Miguel or her parents or one of her sisters, it was by Carl.

Carl.

If it had been almost anyone else, someone younger, someone better looking, Peter might have been able to accept it. But Carl. What could the balding messenger offer her that he couldn't? Why him?

The question roiled in the pit of his stomach.

And the man's voice carried. Peter wished he could block it out.

"You should definitely find an excuse to wear that dress more often," he was saying to her now, the smarmy creep.

Peter poured himself another drink.

[persimmonsimmer]

Her family members threw Citlali a few quizzical looks when she re-entered the house with Peter, but reserved their questions for later.

A frown flitted across Carl’s face at Peter’s entrance, but just as quickly passed.

"The two of you are too cute," she said to Carl and Miguel, adding a playful swoon.

It’s OK, she hoped it communicated. Nothing to worry about.

Caroming with Miguel around the room, he certainly didn’t seem threatened.

Just look at them together. This is what I want.

Peter quickly melted into the background as more guests filtered in.

First was Trevor, who made a beeline for the blond trader Austin.

"One guess who invited you," he said wryly.

"Yes. I suppose you could say I'm Nancy's date for the evening," Austin replied archly. "I saw no harm in accepting since, of course, the two of us aren't in a relationship."

"Sorry to break it to you, but I don't think you're Nancy's only date for the evening," Trevor said, throwing a glance over his shoulder at Sam Tipton, who'd just quietly entered on her own. "You might not get much attention from her tonight."

"Par for the course at a Morales family party." Austin sighed dramatically. "I suppose I'll have to find someone else to entertain me for the evening."

Next to arrive were Phoebe and Hannah, and Jeremy and heavily pregnant Meda, who quickly took a seat on one of the couches that had been pushed aside to make more space in the center of the room.

"Let me be the first to welcome you to the club," Jeremy said to Al.

"What club is that?"

"Handsome redheads who had the good sense to settle down with a stunning Panoraman woman, of course! You're a man of good taste, Al."

"Ah, thanks."

"Glad you could make it," Domingo said to Meda, taking a seat next to her.

"I wouldn't miss Leonor's wedding. I'm not sure how much mingling I have in me tonight, though."

"You're due soon?"

"First thing in spring. And believe me, it can't get here soon enough."

"It's a beautiful thing, a new baby," Domingo said wistfully. "But they don't stay babies for long. I can't believe how fast the years went."

Meda patted his shoulder. "You did a wonderful job."

Finally, with the arrival of Nadya and Walter Fuentes-Haddad, the guests were all gathered. They milled about, chatting easily, a current of expectation buzzing in the air.

"I know what you're trying to do," Trevor said, pulling Nancy aside.

"Like you mind."

"Maybe I do."

"Then why are you grinning? Relax, Trev. You'll thank me at your own wedding some day."

Trevor snorted. "You always know best, huh?"

"Yep," Nancy answered.

Cintia surveyed the scene with satisfaction, then raised cupped hands to her mouth. "Everyone, take your places. It's time for the ceremony!"

[persimmonsimmer]

"You didn't say anything about bringing someone else," Trevor hissed.

Nancy threw the stranger an apologetic look as she herded Trevor out of earshot. “I brought him for you!" she hissed back.

"You what?!" Trevor glanced at the stranger, who was watching them coolly from a distance, one eyebrow raised. "I told you, I'm not interested--"

"Come on, just give it a chance. I really think you two could hit it off--"

"How do you even know him? I've never even seen him around before."

Nancy hesitated. "Um, I mean, hekindofwentoutwithmysister, but only for like, a hot second. He kind of stormed out of a party and then we never saw him again--"

"He sounds lovely."

"--until a few days ago when I saw him at Campbell Farm, and I was gonna go give him a piece of my mind, but he recognized me and before I could say anything he said he was sorry for being such an ass, and then we talked a little and he mentioned how it was probably a bad idea to say yes to a date with Leonor at all because he's not really all that attracted to women in the first place, and so obviously I thought of you--"

Trevor rubbed his temples, feeling exhausted.

He hadn't realized how close the blond trader had drawn--close enough to hear their conversation?--until he spoke.

"I was quite looking forward to meeting the friend Nancy spoke of so highly," he said. "But it seems my presence here is neither expected nor welcome. That being the case, I'll be going."

Nancy glanced helplessly at her guest, then fixed Trevor with a rueful glare. You're acting like a total jerk, she may as well have said. What's the matter with you?

Trevor sighed.