If these two became a couple, he’d have to see them together often. If they married, he’d attend their wedding. Then he’d visit them at their first house. Then he’d hold their baby in his arms.

The thought filled his body with a wash of dismay.

A knock sounded, immediately followed by the whoosh of the front door. “We’re here!” a feminine voice called.

“In the kitchen,” Ben called back.

Natasha and her younger sister, Genevieve, pulled up short when they saw a stranger in their midst.

Ben performed the introductions, finishing with, “This is Leah Montgomery, the most outstanding advanced math teacher in Georgia.”

Understanding swept across both sisters’ faces as they realized that this was the Leah Ben had been talking about for months.

“I’m delighted to meet you,” Genevieve said.

“Ben’s great, isn’t he?” Natasha asked.

“We adore Ben,” Genevieve explained.

“Can you confirm my suspicion that Ben’s the best science teacher in Georgia?” Natasha asked.

“Since I’m not acquainted with all the science teachers in Georgia,” Leah answered, “I’m afraid that I can’t say that definitively. But my best guess is yes.”

“I knew it,” Natasha said to Ben.

“We knew it,” Genevieve corrected.

“Are you here to help us with yard work?” Natasha asked Leah.

“If not, you’re still allowed to stay.” Genevieve lifted the stack of cookies she’d brought from Tart Bakery. “I came under the guise of planting flowers, but I’m mostly planning to eat cookies, talk, and maybe drink iced tea.”

“I don’t have iced tea,” Sebastian said.

“Dream killer,” Genevieve murmured.

“Actually,” Leah said, “I was out walking when Sebastian saw me, and I stopped to chat. I have a few more miles to go, so I’ll head out.”

“We’ll be trimming hedges,” Ben said to Leah. “I know you can’t resist trimming hedges.”

“Amazingly, I can.” Her lips curved. “Thanks for the house tour and the food, Sebastian.”

“You’re welcome.”

Her gaze remained on him. “I’ll be driving to Atlanta next month so that Dylan can tour colleges. I’ve been trying to introduce him to various career tracks in a desperate attempt to motivate him and was wondering if it might be possible to bring him by your hospital while we’re there.”

“Of course,” Sebastian answered. “Just text me and let me know when you’d like to come by.”

“Will do.”

“We’ll walk you out.” Genevieve and Natasha ushered her away before Sebastian could say good-bye. “Here, let me give you my number!” Genevieve said, then the sound of feminine voices faded to quiet.

Ben frowned at him. “Dude.”

“Everything happened the way she said. I was trying to get my lawnmower to start. I looked up, and I saw her walking by.”

“What was she doing, walking in this part of town? She doesn’t live anywhere near here.”