“I can pick you up before I head to the marina that morning. Around nine? That sound okay?”
I nod even though I die a little inside at the thought of getting up so early. For Myles Ford, it just might be worth it.
Shelby intercepts me as we’re all leaving, tossing a wave at Myles as he walks to his car, while pulling me in the other direction. She keeps darting glances behind her, as if making sure he’s out of earshot, and once we reach her car, she pins me with a stare. “Amelia. What the hell was all that?”
I’m in the middle of shaking out the tight braid my hair has been wrapped up in all day. “All what?”
“Whatever that was between Myles and Gregory? They kept, like, death-staring at each other. I know you and Myles have been dancing around something for a while, but Gregory, too? Do you have two guys fighting over you?”
“What? No! Gregory’s just a friend.”
“You sure about that?”
I pause. “Yes?”
She cocks one eyebrow like she doesn’t believe me for a second. “Seemed like more to me. And I think Myles agreed.”
“Well, you’re both wrong.” I check my watch, glad for the excuse to escape. “I gotta get going. We were late finishing up today, and I was supposed to meet my mom at the gallery five minutes ago. I heard some people are going to the pier tonight. See you there?”
“Fine, yes, I’ll see you later,” Shelby says, giving me a quick hug. “But don’t think I’m not gonna circle back on that Gregory guy. You’re a terrible liar, Amelia Madden.”
17PLAYLIST:i mean, what
THE FOLLOWING DAY I’Mfinishing up my lunch shift at Pearl’s alongside a chatty Shelby and a silent Anders when Gregory sends me a text.
Gregory: I’m gonna check on the cats when I get off at 4. Wanna meet me there?
I haven’t been by the store in a few days, and I head there when I get off, and find Gregory sitting alone in the break room with a bottle of water. I like that he waited for me in here rather than going out back without me.
“Hi,” I say.
“Hey. How was work?” he asks, and before I can reply, adds, “Was your boyfriend working?”
He wasn’t, but I say, “Yeah, we did it in the storage room right before I came here. That’s why I’m a few minutes late.” I snag hiswater and take a sip before handing it back to him. “And I told you, he’s not my boyfriend.”
“Trust me, he wants to be.”
“Why do you say that?”
“He was watching you the whole time you sat with us. Guys can tell when another one is interested in a girl.”
I don’t know what gives me the confidence to say what I say next, but it just sort of comes out before I really think about it. “That’s a very interesting theory, Dr. McLoughlin, because he saidyouhave a thing for me.”
Gregory’s gaze snaps back to mine, and I wish I could read his mind. I can’t believe I just insinuated to Gregory that he likes meto his face.
“Interesting.” His expression remains cool, impassive.
I wait a long moment, and when he says nothing else, I say, “Interesting?That’s all you have to say to that?”
He nods and stands. He takes off his vest and badge and stuffs them into a locker. He must have already clocked out. “Yep. Ready?”
I follow him into the hallway and to the back door. He seems tense. I don’t know why, because it’s really not his business, but I amend my previous answer. “MyfriendMyles wasn’t actually at work today. Just Shelby and Anders.” I keep to myself that Shelby badgered me the entire time about my friendship with Gregory.
Gregory’s shoulders seem to relax. He opens the door and holds it open, gesturing for me to go first. “Find out what Tweety’s for yet?”
“Nope,” I say as I step outside and into the sunshine. “Maybe you should come by again and ask him.”
“Maybe I will,” he says, following me onto the concrete. The door falls shut behind us. No one else is out here, per usual. It’s overcast today, so the usual shadows in the alcove aren’t as apparent. “My mom thought you were a delight.”
