Page 126 of Tourist Trap

"I figured you would." Her face changes again before she leans in, taking my hand. Hers is soft and warm and reassuring. "You're good for this town, Claire."

My eyes water at her compliment. June, Lainey, and Miles can all tell me that until they're blue in the face, but there's something about having what feels like the matriarch of Seaside Point telling me I'm good for this place that finally lets it sink in.

"I think it's good for me, too," I whisper, and I do. This place helped me feel like I finally had some purpose, helped me find some meaning, helped me find Miles.

"So you'll take the job?" Helen asks, always one to get what she wants.

I smile wide at her, and then, because I can't imagine doing anything else for the rest of my life, I nod.

"Under a few conditions. If it takes away from the budget as a whole, I'll volunteer until you retire, then step in." She rolls her eyes. "That's a sticking point, Helen."

"We already worked in an assistant at the end of the last budget cycle, one I never used and instead funneled into a head lifeguard position." She gives me a knowing look, and my heart jumps. "I knew someone who couldn't handle a summer of wrangling teens couldn't handle this full time, so we were treating that as a bit of a trial run."

I nod, then give her my second sticking point.

"And two, I can't deal with Brad Baker at Surf. Too much bad blood, and I don't want to catch an assault charge."

She lets out a loud, boisterous laugh and shakes her head. "I don't think that will be a problem."

"No?" She shakes her head.

"After the scene he made on Saturday? I think Daddy called him back to the office. Caught him loading his things up into his fancy-ass car Sunday morning. Not sure what's going to happen there or who will take over, but he won't be your problem."

I nod because yesterday I spent a good amount of time watching videos, memes, and spoofs of Brad Baker’s meltdown, laughing the whole time.

Finally, I look to Helen, then to her mess of a desk, then out the surrounding windows to the ocean as a sense of peace washes over me.

"Okay then. Yeah. I'll take the job." I don’t ask about the pay or the hours or the expectations or insurance or anything Ishouldcare about because the rest will fall into place. I just know it.

She stands then, pulling me up and into her arms, hugging me tight and swaying from side to side as she does.

"Grateful you found your way to our little slice of heaven, my girl," she whispers into my ear, and when I pull back, we're both smiling, both staring at each other with watering eyes. "Now go. Go tell that boy of yours I convinced you to stay here for good."

I tip my head and shake it. “I have a shift?—”

"No, you don't," she says. "You're off for the day. Go celebrate. I'll see you tomorrow."

I think about arguing but then decide against it, smiling at her and nodding.

“You sure?”

"If you don't, I'm taking back the job offer."

I smile and roll my eyes but nod all the same because I really do want to go find Miles and tell him the good news.

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow. And Helen?" I say as she turns back to her desk, taking in the view before her. She turns her head to me, and when I have her attention, I say, "Thank you."

She knows I don’t just mean for the job.

"Of course, my girl. Us wandering girls need to stick together, you know?"

I smile at that, wondering if Helen and I are the same, before I head out to find my man.

* * *

I've been here a few times over the past few years, mostly when my car was making a weird noise, only for Miles to tell me something like I was so far past an oil change that he was surprised my car didn't explode.

When I pull up, the garage doors are open wide, and he's on a creeper underneath a car that's lifted up on jacks. He doesn't hear me as I approach, but I wave to John, one of the guys who works with him, who smiles and winks at me.

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