Page 65 of The Perfect Distraction

“Hey,” Colton said.

“Hi, Miss Beth,” Joey said.

“Oh. Am I on speaker?”

“Yes. Joey and I called to ask you something.”

“Will you go on a date with us?” Joey shouted.

“You don’t have to yell. She can hear us,” Colton scolded.

Beth laughed and felt a peaceful warmth flow through her.

“Dad’s taking tomorrow off,” Joey said a little more quietly.

“And we were wondering if you’d like to spend the day with us,” Colton finished.

“I’d love to. What do you have in mind?”

“We thought you could come over in the morning for Joey’s reading lesson, and then afterward, we could go to the beach.”

“I told Dad we could skip the lesson, but he said no,” Joey clarified.

Beth giggled. She could just imagine how that conversation had gone. “I think your dad’s right. But maybe we can make it a shorter lesson this time.”

“Yay!” Joey shouted.

“What time should I come over?” she asked.

“That depends. Do you like donuts?” Colton said.

“Doesn’t everyone?”

He chuckled. “If you come over early, I’ll have donuts and coffee waiting.”

“It’s a special treat because it’s Friday,” Joey added.

“On Friday, we eat donuts from Johan’s Pastry Shop for breakfast,” Colton confirmed.

“I’ve been meaning to go there, but I haven’t yet,” Beth said.

“Well, get ready to fall in love,” Colton said. And then, clearing his throat loudly, he added, “With the donuts, I mean.”

Beth felt a shiver go up her spine. Of course he meant the donuts, but hearing Colton talk about falling in love made her think about exactly that. Was that what was happening here? Did he sense it too? She shook her head to get rid of the notion. She liked Colton and Joey and enjoyed their company. Moreover, she cared about them. But love? She couldn’t, she shouldn’t, she wouldn’t. I’ve read too much Dr. Seuss!

“Miss Beth? Are you still there?”

“Yes, I’m here. I was just thinking about tomorrow.”

“Don’t forget your bathing suit,” Joey said.

“Even if she forgot, she lives right next door,” Colton teased.

And then she saw the headlights out the kitchen window as Colton swung into his driveway.

“You never said what time I should come over,” Beth said as she watched them get out of the car. Colton handed Joey his keys, and the boy ran around to the back door while Colton paused in the driveway.

“How about nine o’clock?” he said, looking toward her sunroom.