Page 57 of Coastal Rewind

“Are they in school together?”

Amber nodded. “They weren’t in the same class this year, but they were in kindergarten together.”

“I’m glad MJ has a friend. School wasn’t the easiest for him this year.”

“I hate that school,” Amber muttered. “The moms are mean and the kids are little assholes.”

I blinked at her and then burst into laughter. “I think I like you.”

She smiled and leaned on her elbows. “So, Ryleigh, what’s your story? How’d you end up as a nanny for the hottest baseball player in the city?”

“Mason is a friend of my brother’s, so I’m just doing him a favor for the summer.” I was downplaying our relationship, but I didn’t really know this woman and I wasn’t trying to end up in some gossip blog.

“Lucky, lucky girl. Do you live in the city?”

I shook my head. “I’ve been traveling but my family lives here.”

“Husband? Boyfriend? Girlfriend?” She arched a brow.

“None of the above.”

“Ugh, good. Marriage is a sham. You end up taking care of children and a man-child for the rest of your life.” Amber’s tone was serious but her eyes sparkled with amusement.

I eyed the ring on her finger and chuckled.

“Yeah, I think I’m good. How’d you meet your husband?”

“He stumbled into my dorm room in college, drunk, thinking it was his room. After screaming and throwing a lamp at his head, he asked for my number. Ten years later and here we are.”

“Survival instincts. I approve.”

We ended up talking for another hour, and I felt giddy when I left with plans for Theo and Amber to come over after camp tomorrow to hang out in the pool. For the first time in so long, I think I made a friend.

Theo jumped into the pool creating such a big splash that the water drenched Amber and me from head to toe. I squealed as the cold drops soaked my shirt and shorts. I peeled them off and dropped them next to the lounge chair I was sitting in.

“I should have warned you…” Amber chuckled, already in only her bathing suit. “Theo lives for a cannonball.”

“All good.” I sat back and brought my sunglasses down from being propped on my hair. The heat soaked into my skin as I relaxed and tilted my head back.

The boys continued playing as the sunshine beat down on us. They were tossing a football back and forth when the back sliding door opened and Mason casually sauntered out onto the patio.

“Dad!” MJ yelled. He paddled over to the pool stairs in his floaties, his little face determined to break into a run against the resistance of the water. When he finally made it to the stairs, he ran to Mason and wrapped him in a dripping wet in a hug. Mason didn’t seem to care as he scooped MJ into his arms and started in my direction.

Amber shifted her sunglasses down her nose with one hand and let out a low whistle that only I could hear.

“Damn.” Her voice was wistful. I slapped her arm and she fell back with a smile. “I’m happily married, but not one single person would blame you for falling for him.”

“It’s not like that,” I lied. “We’re just friends.” It rolled off the tongue so easily but felt like poison. There was a time when Mason and I were friends, but it was very quickly turning into more.

“Hey, ladies. Having fun?” Mason asked as he placed MJ back on his feet and took the empty seat next to me.

“We are now,” Amber whispered, causing me to pin her with a glare.

Mason chuckled deeply, totally catching her comment. I rolled my eyes and tilted my head toward Mason.

“How was your trip?”

He shrugged. “Exhausting, but we won the series so that was a relief.”