Page 9

I look around the room. It’s small, maybe one hundred square feet total, but it’s homey. The walls are colored white except for one accent wall that’s been doused in petrol-blue paint. A bed is against one of the bedroom walls, with a dresser at the foot of it. A big speaker is under the wooden desk, still blasting eighties rock music. The desk itself is decorated sparsely, but the wall behind it is adorned with black-and-white photographs. Colton’s room is neat and tidy, nothing like I’d expect from a man. Or maybe I’ve only gone out with the wrong kind of men, and this is how real men decorate. Who knows?

My mind circles back to the bedroom I’m currently sleeping in. It has a fantastic view of the beach, with lots of natural sunlight pouring in. Why would Colton willingly stay in the basement instead of my room? Not even these nice decorations can make up for the fact that there’s hardly any natural light in here.

“Why are you staying here?” I dare to ask. “Why not take the bedroom upstairs?”

He shrugs. “Too many bad memories. Besides, in here, I get to stay out of sight. Believe me when I say I don’t want to be around when Maggie has a night with her colleagues or friends. Those girls just keep chatting and chatting and chatting. Honestly, I don’t even understand why. They talk daily, what more can they have to say to each other?”

I chuckle. “Maggie’s out now, so maybe we could go to the kitchen and have a soda? Unless you need to finish your workout,” I add.

“Nah, that’s okay. Let me grab a quick shower and I’ll be there.”

I get up and make my way to the stairs.

“Oh, and Elle?”

I turn around. “Yes?”

He grins. “Next time, just walk down the stairs instead of using them as a slide. You’ll end up with far fewer injuries.”

I love how he’s already talking about a next time. “I’ll try to remember that.”

Before heading for the kitchen, I make a quick detour to my room. I brush my hair and apply some mascara. I don’t want Colton to know I sometimes look like a scarecrow. I mean, sure, he just saw me, but the light wasn’t too bright down there.

I grab a couple of sodas from the fridge and wait for him to appear. I can hear the water running in the bathroom. I close my eyes and imagine his muscled back getting all wet. I wonder if he soaps himself up from head to toe, and decide that yes, he does. It’s my fantasy after all.

I’m so caught up in my daydream that I don’t realize the shower has been turned off. Colton appears next to me, and I startle.

“You scare easily, don’t you?” he asks with an amused look on his face.

I’m all flustered and hope he doesn’t notice.

He plops down in the chair opposite me, cracking a can of soda open. “So, Elle, what are your plans while you’re here?”

“My priority is looking for a job. But as you might know, there isn’t an abundance of those in Summerville Creek.”

He nods. “Yeah, I know. I’m happy with the one I’ve got, but I also know it’s temporary.”

“Not a fixed contract?” I ask.

“Kind of me not wanting a fixed contract,” he says. “I’m set on leaving this place, but Maggie isn’t keen on that to say the least. She tries to set me up with everyone she meets in the hopes of me sticking around after all.”

“That makes sense. It might not be the best way to go about it, but I understand she doesn’t want you to leave. She’s probably scared of living alone.”

His eyes lock with mine. “Now that you’re here, I’m not that worried anymore. At least she won’t be alone once I’m gone.”

He clears his throat in what seems like an attempt to change the subject. I’d love to press the issue further and find out why he’s so set on leaving, but I don’t. If it were the other way around, I wouldn’t want him to keep asking questions either.

“You know,” he starts, “I heard some talk about a job opening at The Magic Wonderland. Why don’t you ride to work with me tomorrow and ask Frank? He’s the one in charge.”

Working at the amusement park does sound like a ton of fun. I’d get to meet cheerful vacation-goers every day, maybe go on a ride in between breaks, and work alongside Colton… I might even get a job as one of the entertainers. A princess or something! I can hardly believe how fast my luck is turning in the right direction. Before arriving, I thought I’d have to look for a job for weeks on end.

“That would be great,” I say. “Thank you.”

“No worries. Oh, you will have to get back onto my beast of a bike to get there. Are you sure you’re up for it?”

I’m scared to death to whiz around town on his motorcycle, but I’d never admit that to him. “Bring it on.”

Chapter Four