The Weather Girl by Amy Vastine

of a balloon, I would have shown up a few minutes earlier.”
    “You wanna go?” She started to get up.
    Travis grabbed her arm and pulled her back in her seat. “Maybe next time.”
    There was no tingling, but he defintely felt something when they touched. Summer swallowed hard and stared at his hand as if it were a bear trap wrapped around her arm. Her skin was warm and soft, but he let go before she felt the need to yank her arm away. They had managed to get along for an entire week—he didn’t want to ruin that streak by giving her the wrong impression. He had sworn he wasn’t interested in anything other than friendship. Touching was most likely against the friendship rules.
    “Bull crap.” Conner coughed into his fist behind them, causing Summer to glance over her shoulder.
    Travis prayed his brother would not embarrass him. “Don’t make me call your wife and tell her what really went on today,” he warned.
    “You wouldn’t,” Conner gasped.
    “Friend of yours?” Summer asked.
    “Related, unfortunately.”
    “Conner Lockwood.” He stuck out his hand and Summer shook it firmly.
    “Summer Raines. Nice to meet you.”
    He didn’t let go of her hand right away, kissing the back of it like some sort of gentleman. “The pleasure is all mine because you, pretty lady, are insane. The way you took a nosedive.” Conner shook his head in awe. “That was crazy.”
    “Leave her alone,” Travis said, scrawling his name on another picture of himself. “The only crazy person here is me—for letting you tag along.”
    “Boy, can you feel the love?” Conner said to Summer, ignoring his brother completely. “He acts like he’s the only interesting person around here. Did you know that I played for LSU the year we won—”
    Travis interrupted, “She doesn’t care about football. You’re boring her and you’ve just met. Nice work.”
    “Doesn’t care about football?” Conner’s eyes widened in shock, as if he’d been told she wasn’t from this planet. “He’s kidding, right?”
    Summer shrugged. “I’m into more extreme sports. Sorry.”
    Travis chuckled as Conner’s jaw dropped. He really didn’t have to worry about her holding her own.
    “More extreme? You’re kidding.” Conner turned to Travis. “She has to be kidding. Tell me she’s kidding.” He looked Summer up and down. “You’re not from around here, are you?”
    “Texans and their football. I’ll never understand.”
    “Is that a no?”
    “Not originally from around here, no.”
    “You’re lucky. We’ve kicked Texans out of the state for lesser crimes.”
    Summer laughed. Of course she liked Conner. He was one of the good guys. Travis spent the rest of the afternoon signing everything put in front of him and smiling for every photo. There were plenty of lovely ladies in line, but the little kids were on the receiving end of most of his attention. He signed so many footballs he lost count.
    After Heidi called for the third time, and Conner ran out of excuses, he tapped Travis on the shoulder. “I’ll be moving in with you if I don’t head home. Any way someone can give you a lift?” He not so nonchalantly glanced in Summer’s direction.
    “I can drop you off,” Summer offered.
    Travis bit back his frustration. It was a nice gesture, even if he was certain she was only offering because Conner had asked. “You sure?”
    “Or I could,” Shannon chimed in.
    Summer stiffened as if challenged, then smiled at the intern. “I got it. It’s really no big deal.”
    “It’s no big deal for me, either. I have nothing to do after this. I can drive Travis home.”
    “I think I already said I got it.”
    “I’m just saying, I’m sure you’re busy—”
    “I’m not.”
    “Well, I’m sure you’re busier than I am.”
    Conner began to laugh and both women stopped arguing. He patted Travis on the back. “Some things never change, do they, little brother?” Turning to leave, he gave Summer and Shannon a wave.