“I ended up sitting at the bar drinking and eating peanuts by myself.”
Teddy smiled. “Did anyone offer to buy you a drink? Because if I saw a beautiful woman like you, I would absolutely buy her a drink.”
Was he flirting with me? “Okay, let’s hear it, your best pickup line.”
“I find when I’m in your country all I have to say is hello. Women here seem to find my accent alluring.”
I burst out laughing.
“Laugh all you want, but it works.”
“Then tell me what you say when you’re home, just another Brit on the prowl.”
“If it were you, I’d probably ask if it was true what they say about redheads.”
There was that roguish grin.
“If nothing else, it made you smile. I’d take that as a sign to keep going.” He took a drag. “You should’ve called me. I would’ve gladly kept you company.”
I looked up at the stars, then I smiled at him.
Teddy returned my smile and said, “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry your night didn’t work out as planned. But I’m happy you’re here with me sharing a smoke.”
13OD—On Duty
“Lori, how’s it going?”
I was reading the schedule on my way to meet the campers and was surprised to hear my name. Jack was straddling his bicycle directly in my path. I’d learned to avoid him—each encounter was awkward. He saw me before I saw him.
“Good.” I smiled, hoping it looked sincere.
“Marilyn and Bethany have been telling me that you’re doing a good job, the campers and counselors like you, that you’re a team player.”
I felt a legitimate grin form on my face. Complimented out of the blue. Too bad my husband wasn’t around to hear it.
“Thanks. Good to know.”
“Do you intentionally avoid me?” Jack asked.
The smile fell from my face, “I’m not sure what you’re asking me.”
“I’ve noticed that whenever I’m near, you abruptly turn away.”
I stood on the edge of a wide-open field but felt unable to move. I hadn’t thought Jack noticed me at all, and here he was calling me out. “If that’s happening, I’m sure it’s coincidental.”
“Just so you know, I’m watching. I’m always watching.”
We sipped our morning coffee, gossiping and reviewing the day’s schedule.
“What the hell does this mean, I’m scheduled for OD tonight?” I asked.
“Didn’t Bethany mention something during one of those endless orientation meetings about having to sit a couple of nights on OD? I remember thinking, what does OD stand for, but then the subject changed, and I forgot about it,” Abby said.
“You, my dear friend, have the attention span of a gnat,” Maggie said.
Abby waved her hand as if shooing away a swarm.
“So, what does OD stand for?” I asked.
