Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“That’s messed up.”
I was almost starting to feel bad for him. Even considered taking it easy on the kid. Until he started talking all kinds of smack and challenged me to a Jurassic Park shooting game. At that point, it was an educational imperative—I had to teach the kid some manners.
“You know you’re supposed to set a good example for me, right?”
“These are important lessons. Eating shit is the first lesson of adulthood.”
“You’re terrible at this,” he informs me, rolling his eyes.
“You’re welcome.”
We’re making our way down the boardwalk to where I parked my Jeep when a familiar face appears in my line of sight. She’s exiting the smoothie place five feet ahead of us and looks over her shoulder to meet my eyes, as if she felt me coming. It always strikes me how good her skin looks under a midday sun.
“You following me now?” Dark sunglasses hide her expression, but I know in the goading tone of her voice she isn’t entirely disappointed to see me. Then her attention falls to Riley. “Oh dear. Is this man bothering you?”
“Why does everyone keep saying that to me?” I grumble. “Do I look like I drive a panel van?”
“I’m Riley,” the teen says with a shy smile.
“Genevieve, but you can call me Gen.” She nods in the direction we’d been heading, asking us to walk with her.
As we fall into step with my drop-dead gorgeous ex-girlfriend, it’s as if a switch flips in Riley. His entire demeanor changes as he tips his head toward her. “What do you like to do at the beach, Gen?”
She questions me with a look before answering. “Well, I guess I like to tan and read a book.”
“What’s your favorite day?”
“Uh … Sunday, I suppose.” Gen licks her lips, growing more skeptical as the interrogation continues.
“What’s your favorite time of day?”
I’m here, watching this happen. Still, I can’t believe what I’m seeing. Surreal.
“Sunrise. When it’s still quiet.” An amused Gen watches Riley pull out his phone and type in a quick note. “What are you writing?”
“There,” he says smugly. “I just set a reminder to pick you up for a sunrise date on the beach this weekend.”
“Wow.” She turns with an arched eyebrow, peering at me above the rim of her sunglasses. “Can I assume this was your doing?”
“They grow up so fast.”
Once again, I’m practically bursting with pride. I don’t know if Riley is a quick study or if I’m an extraordinary mentor, but I think it’s safe to say he’s conquered his confidence problem. Although the superpower persuasion of Gen’s spectacular rack might have had something to do with it. Kid’s been staring so hard I’m worried I might have to take him home cross-eyed.
“I might look young,” he tells her. “But I assure you I’m an old soul.”
“Oh my God.” Gen playfully mashes his face with her palm. “Where’d you find this kid, Evan?”
“I’m his Big Brother.”
She scoffs at me, incredulous. “No, seriously. This is Mackenzie’s little brother or something, right?”
“Really. I’m giving back to my community.”
“Huh.”
I’m not sure what to make of her response, but at least she’s not telling me to get lost again.
When we come up on Mac’s hotel, Gen pauses near the new white-and-green sign with the elegantly scrawled words The Beacon Hotel. Sipping her smoothie, she examines the building. There isn’t much going on outside anymore, as far as the renovation goes. The façade is all patched up and painted. Most of the work left to do is on the inside. Decorating, installing the mirrors and fixtures, all that tedious stuff. Mac’s been getting more anal by the minute about every microscopic detail.
“I’ve always loved this place,” Gen says to no one in particular.
“Is it open yet?” Riley asks curiously.
I shake my head. “Soon. Couple months, I think.”
“The woman who owned this place would come to the stone yard sometimes,” Gen says, a faraway note in her voice. “She’d hire Dad to do seasonal landscaping. There was something so glamorous about her, even in a place like that. She’d be walking through stone dust and mulch looking like a million bucks. I used to tell my folks I was going to work here someday.”
“Mac’s hiring,” I tell her.
Gen cocks her head at me. “What, seriously?”
“Yeah. Cooper’s been giving her a hard time about needing to hurry up and pick some people, or she’ll never open.” Though I can’t see her eyes, I feel the intensity of Gen’s interest in the way she presses her lips together. “I could put in a good word, if you’re interested.”
She hesitates for a beat. Then she nods slowly. “Yeah. Yes. I’d actually really appreciate that. If it’s not too much of a thing.”
“No sweat.” Hell, I’m just happy she’s letting me do this for her, rather than making it a whole argument about fending for herself or me getting too involved in her life. “It’s done.” At that, though, it really is time I bring Riley back to the library. I was warned at least four times that tardiness is frowned upon. “Listen, we gotta go, but I’ll talk to Mac and let you know how it goes. Cool?”