Page 63 of In It to Win It

“He is. See, Byron? It’s the same beach as at home, just farther down the coast.”

“I like how you talk to him.”

“Are you making fun of me for talking to a dog?”

“No! I said I like it. It’s cute.”

“You’d better talk to him, too,” I say fiercely. “Or he’ll feel . . . rejected. You have to play with him and give him hugs.”

“I will.” He presses a hand to his heart. “Promise.”

I study him from the corner of my eye as we walk. He seems more relaxed today. Too bad I’m not, remembering the sparks and heat surrounding us the other night. I’m tingling all over again just being this near to him.

My hair is whipping around in the wind, so I pause. “Can you take him?” I hand JP the leash. Then I pull a hair tie from my pocket and scoop my hair up into a ponytail. JP watches me, his eyes darkening.

Heat darts in my lower belly.

Friends.

He clears his throat and we resume walking. “So are you all packed to move?”

“Getting there. I move in Wednesday.”

“How are you handling it?”

I’m surprised at this question. I guess I don’t expect him to ask a question like that, knowing he’s probably going to get an earful about how sad I am and how heartrending it is to leave the house I grew up in most of my life. Most men would rather avoid that. So I lie. “I’m okay.”

“Sure.” He nudges me with his big shoulder. “You’re going to be fine. This will be a good move for you. How about your parents? How are they doing?”

“Well, my mom is gone. But we had lunch the other day, and text all the time. She seems . . . fine.” I shake my head. “My dad I’m not so sure about. I saw him the other day, wandering around the house looking at things, and he seemed so . . . lost.”

“You don’t know what happened with them?”

“No. They’re pretty firm that they won’t discuss it with me and Amy. My sister. She’s coming up from San Diego today to see if there’s anything at the house she wants.” I chuckle. “I think there are boxes of her Sweet Valley High books there.” I pause. “I guess it doesn’t really matter what happened, if this is the best thing for them.”

“Relationships can be complicated.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Speaking from experience?”

“Well . . . to be honest, I’ve never had a really serious relationship. As an adult.”

“No?” I shrug. “Me either.”

“Until now. Things seem pretty serious with Anthony.” His tone turns rough.

I don’t know what to say. I keep trying with Anthony because he’s a nice guy and I do enjoy going out with him. We still haven’t had sex. I’m just not feeling it. He’s made a few moves and asked me to stay over at his place, but he hasn’t pushed too hard, which makes me feel both relieved and kind of miffed. Which is somewhat perverse of me, but there you have it. I may not want him, but I want to be wanted.

I know JP wants me. Or should I say,wantedme. I put an end to that with my “let’s be friends” speech.

“We haven’t been seeing each other that long,” I finally say. “But you’re right. Relationships can be complicated.”

We let Byron off the leash. JP picks up a stick and throws it for him. Byron flies over the sand to retrieve it and return it. This continues as we walk.

“Can he swim?” JP asks.

“Of course. He’s a retriever.”

The next toss has the stick sailing into the ocean, and Byron doesn’t hesitate to splash in and swim for it.

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