Page 54 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

I shake my head.I’m afraid if I open my mouth and start spilling the things my dad said, I’ll cry.

He places his hands on my shoulders and spins me around.“Mae, tell me what’s going on.”

“My dad is suspicious.”

“We haven’t done anything.”

“I know.But he also knows I’m not dating anyone else.Apparently, that’s enough to cast suspicion.I explained to him that since I’m no longer life-guarding, I don’t meet boys like I used to, but he still thinks I’m not dating because of you.”

“It’s true.”He gives me a crooked grin that makes me want to punch and kiss him at the same time.

I smack him on the chest.“You’re not supposed to take his side.”

“At least once every couple of days, I get a guest that asks me out, and I turn them all down.You know why?Because of you.It’s not a secret.”

“Maybe you should say yes to a few of them.”I don’t mean it.But it would help.

“Maybe I should.And maybe you should go on a couple of dates as well.”

That’s not where I thought this conversation would go, but it is a solution.If Dad sees Seth and me dating other people, then he’ll stop threatening me.I’m so tired of the threats.Sometimes I think that the only reason he hasn’t signed the paperwork yet is because he knows if he does, nothing will stop Seth and me from getting together.

“Fine.I’ll see if Abi can find someone to set me up with.”

He shakes his head.“No way.You’re doing this on your own.Today, you’re a lifeguard.Tonight, you have a date.”

“And you?”

“I’m going to watch you get your game on.And then I’ll track down Suzanne in cabin eight and tell her that I’ve changed my mind, and I would love to go to dinner with her tonight.”

I remember Suzanne from the gazebo.She’s pretty and sophisticated—nothing like me.Maybe Seth will go out with her and realize that I’m just a fleeting fantasy.Suzanne would be better for him than me.

Now I might actually head back to my bunkhouse, lock myself in the bathroom, and sob on the floor.

SEVENTEEN

Seth

I should’ve let Abi set Mae up with someone, but I’m a glutton for punishment.Or just amusement, I guess.I don’t know what I was expecting when I told her to find her own date, but it certainly wasn’t this.

“You know, you could just say the hell with it and hook up with her already.”Mark is my excuse for being out here.As long as I’m with him, I don’t look like a creepo watching the girls.

Mae and Abi are wearing only their bikinis as they “lifeguard.”But really, all they are doing is flirting with college-aged guys who keep trying to show off by jumping off the cliff.I’ve jumped off Corfu’s cliffs and Kahekili’s Leap.Neither of those scared me as much as watching Mae flirt with other guys.

Her bikini is bright blue, adorned with tiny white flowers that seem to pop against her tan.The material hugs her curves perfectly, showing off just the right amount of skin.Not for the first time have I wondered what she might look like out of that bikini.

Mae and Abi have game, I have to admit.They both touch the boys on their biceps and laugh whenever they say something that probably isn’t all that funny.I shouldn’t be surprised.Mae has a way with people.Of course that would translate to flirting.

“You know what Keith will do.This is the only way to save the farm.”I wish it were different.

“I’m not buying that anymore,” Mark says.“Keith isn’t a total ass.He wouldn’t do that to Dad.He’s just playing games with you.”

I cross my arms and glare at the one guy who has been smart enough to not try to show off.He’s been on the top of the cliff with Mae for a good forty-five minutes now, cheering his buddies on.But he never once jumped.

He hands her a bottle of water and shuffles his feet nervously, inching closer with each step until their shoulders brush.

“For the love of…I can’t watch this anymore,” I grumble.Mae hands the guy her sunscreen, and it looks like he’s going to reapply it for her.

Mark chuckles.“I guess she found her date.What about you?”

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