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“You ready to go?”

Phillip nodded.

I eyed his pasty-white skin.And came to a quick decision.“We need sunscreen.I’ll apply some while you get Wally organized and then we swap.”

He didn’t appear convinced, with a little furrow in his brow.

“Skin cancer is a thing.So’s a bad burn.The sun is full force right now.I rarely run when it’s this hot—unless I’m training for a hot-weather location.And I always wear sunscreen.”

“Don’t you sweat it off?”

“Waterproof.”I snagged the bottle, squeezed out a large dollop, and started slathering myself.

Phillip licked his lips.

I tried not to read too much into that gesture.

He put on his sunscreen.

I tried not to ogle.

We headed out.

Chapter9

Phillip

I’d thoughtthe clip-ons might be lame, but the ability to see without squinting negated any dorkiness I might’ve felt.

And when you have cared about dorkiness?

Okay, rarely.In Oregon, I’d been too focused on keeping us alive.We hadn’t been able to afford fancy food.Or even fruits and vegetables unless the neighbors gave us some.My cooking abilities lay in pasta, rice, and cold cereal.Our pharmacist used to give me multivitamins along with mom’s meds.So I didn’t get scurvy, she used to say.I hadn’t known what scurvy was.As an adult—with access to a search engine—I’d looked it up one day.Out of idle curiosity.

And had mentally thanked the pharmacist for her forethought.Many of our neighbors had eschewed modern medicine.Even they, though, could admit my mother was much better off with her meds rather thanjustprayer.

As we headed toward the boardwalk, I tried not to stare openly.I’d lived in LA for two years before meeting Hank, as a college student who rarely left my dorm on campus Without a car, I never felt comfortable leaving the safety of campus.I’d even stayed during the summer, taking classes, so I didn’t have to deal with the real world.

I should’ve been accustomed to seeing attractive men and women with their tanned, toned bodies wearing only minimal…clothing.Should’ve been able to walk along without my mind stumbling every time I saw a gay or lesbian couple holding hands.Especially those pairings with kids.But I did stare.I hadn’t even known such things were possible back in Oregon.Well, the pastor had railed against the sin of sodomy—which I’d eventually figured out.Actual same-sex couples?I hadn’t understood such things could exist.

Hot sun beat on the back of my neck, and I was already sweating.Because of the heat.Nothing else.Nothing to do with the men walking past holding hands, or Jeremy at my side.

A bark drew my attention.

Wally’s ears perked up even farther than they normally did.

“Kevin!”Jeremy waved, then turned back to me.“Kevin and Zelda are safe, okay?But if you don’t feel that way, let me know.”He whispered the words in my ear even as he waved to the young man and his dog.

A dog who, in my eyes, appeared rather large.

Although maybe not.Much smaller than theprotectiondogs I’d grown up around.The ones that’d always scared the shit out of me.

“Hey, Jeremy.”Kevin waved as he made his way over to them.

Jeremy guided us toward the beach so we weren’t blocking the boardwalk.

My feet sank into the sand.Something I wasn’t accustomed to, and I found it vaguely concerning.

Zelda approached Wally.