Page 16 of Crossed Lines

It’s my first day off this summer, and I have no idea what to do. Sawyer left a box of cereal out on the counter for my breakfast. His meal choices are still the same as they were before I left. I guess I can’t say anything, though. There were many mornings over the last few years when I was running to class with a Pop-Tart in my hand.

After I eat a bowl of sugary cereal, I spend the rest of the morning unpacking the clothes I hadn’t gotten around to yet. I finally find my favorite bikini buried under mounds of other clothes. I’m hoping to take Jade to the pool later this week.

By lunchtime, though, I’m bored. So, I get in my car and drive to my favorite thrift store. Sawyer and I used to come here at least once a month when I was growing up. We found some great deals on things we wouldn’t have been able to afford if we hadn’t gotten them second-hand.

I’m pleased to see the shelves are stocked full when I arrive. I’m browsing the book section when my phone rings. A picture of Macy and me from freshman year flashes on the screen.

“Hey!” I answer.

“Hey, yourself! You didn’t text me when you got to Blue Haven. I’ve been sitting here for days thinking you were dead on the side of the road,” Macy says dramatically.

I laugh. “You thought I was dead for days, and today is the first day you thought to call?”

“We don’t need to dig into the details, alright? I called, and that’s what’s important.”

“You’re so right.”

“So, tell me. What have you been doing? I hope it’s more exciting than what I’ve been doing, which is absolutely nothing in case you were wondering,” she says, and I can tell she’s falling backward on her bed just like she used to do in our dorm room.

“It’s only the first week of summer. I’m sure you’ll do something fun soon.”

“Yeah, yeah. Tell me about Blue Haven,” she says.

“Well… I got a job.”

“No way! That was fast. What are you doing? Please tell me it involves you serving milkshakes on roller skates.”

“What? No. Where do you think I live? The 1950s?” I don’t tell her that Blue’s Diner did try the whole roller skate thing at one point, but there were too many accidents, and one waitress fractured her wrist so that was quickly sidelined.

“Just picturing the perfect small town, which is exactly how you describe Blue Haven.”

I chuckle. I’m surprised she’s interpreted all of my bits and pieces about Blue Haven to mean this town is perfect. I wanted to get out of here as soon as I could, but I suppose this place does have its charm. “Unfortunately, no roller-skates. I’m a nanny for Sawyer’s best friend. His daughter is six and staying with him for the summer. He needed someone to watch her.”

“That’s perfect for you! How’s the kid?” she asks.

“She’s great. I’ve only been with her for two days, but we’ve had a blast so far.”

“How’s her dad?”

“Beck is…” I hesitate, unable to bring myself to admit it out loud.

After I pause for too long, Macy nudges me. “Beck is what?”

“Beck is hot.”

She gasps. “What! You have a hot boss? You are living my summer dreams!”

“It’s not like anything could happen. Did you miss the part where he’s my brother’s best friend?”

“Nope. I definitely didn’t miss it. Just didn’t care. You said he’s hot. That’s what matters.”

“Oh, my god. Yeah, well, he’s also the same age as my brother, so no. Not happening.”

She laughs. “Listen, how ’bout I come to town and distract your brother while you take care of his best friend?”

“Absolutely not. Plus, Beck doesn’t see me like that. I’m just Sawyer’s little sister to him.” Although he did check out my ass yesterday, and when he took his shirt off last night, he wanted me to look. It’s almost like he’s teasing me. I just can’t figure out why.

“Well, your mission this summer is to make him change his mind. Make him see the woman you are.”