Page 33 of Race to the Beach

He glanced around to make sure she hadn’t been overheard.“Shh… We don’t want anyone to know about that part.”Then he reached into the bag and pulled out a fantasy book that had just been released.“See.I have a book too.”

She glanced at the book in her hand.“Thank you.It was very thoughtful.”

“You’re welcome.”He started the motor.

As they drove away, she didn’t say anything else.He thought maybe the gift would cheer her up.It hadn’t worked.Maybe his idea for them to spend the week together wasn’t such a good idea after all.

Chapter Thirteen

Hewasgivinghergifts.What was next?

Maxi knew her initial reaction to the book hadn’t been appropriate.It was just that he’d caught her off-guard.No one had gifted her a book—not since she was a kid and her mother had given her books to help her overcome her dyslexia.The memories poked at her scarred heart.Her life had changed drastically after she lost her mother.And there were no more gifted books—until now.

Maxi knew she should explain her reaction to the book, but she couldn’t formulate the words.She knew how he’d look at her differently when she told him she had problems reading.He would think less of her.And she couldn’t bear the thought of that.

But she had a secret that was worse than that.It was something only her aunt knew.It was a secret that she hoped to overcome—she’d never graduated high school.It was her biggest shame.

Thanks to her mother, she could read.It took a lot of effort.And when she was tired, trying to read would give her headaches.That was why being a mechanic made things simpler for her.There was less reading than other professions.

“Could we stop by my aunt’s place?”she asked.“I’d like to get some of my stuff.”

“Stuff…for what?”

“Working on the car.”There was a lot to do and not much time.

“You want to start tonight?”The surprise was obvious in his voice.

“Yes.Is that a problem?”

There was a pause.“Uh, no.Not at all.”

“Do you know where my aunt lives?”No sooner had she gotten the words out than she realized the foolishness of it.“Of course, you do.”The heat of embarrassment consumed her cheeks.“What’s it like living in Bluestar?”

He shrugged.“It’s the friendliest place you’d ever want to live.”

“Have you ever considered living elsewhere?”She was so glad to turn the conversation away from herself.And there was the fact that she was dying to know more about her fake boyfriend.She tried to tell herself it was so she could play her part better—but she knew there was more to it than that.

He nodded again.“Definitely.It isn’t always easy living under a microscope.”

“I take it you’ve ended up under that microscope.”She didn’t miss the frown that briefly passed over his lips.

“Yes.”He pressed his lips into a firm line.

Disappointment assailed her when she realized he wasn’t going to share more.Feeling as though this was the end of their getting to know each other, she turned the conversation toward her car.She was anxious to figure out a plan to repair it.

Feeling impatient, she started talking about the condition of the car.She was surprised by his insight.For an island that outlawed automobiles, she wasn’t expecting him to know much about them.

Owen explained that he’d grown up tinkering with his grandfather’s Mustang.Every summer, his grandfather would transport it to the mainland and drive it throughout the New England area.When Owen was a teenager, he’d accompany his grandfather.They sounded like great memories.She was a little jealous that she didn’t have similar memories.But she was happy for him.

When they arrived at her aunt’s, Maxi told him she’d be right back.She ran inside, hoping her aunt wouldn’t be home.

When she opened the front door, she didn’t hear any sounds.She was just about to head up the stairs when she heard her aunt call out her name.Maxi hesitated before heading toward the kitchen.She stepped into the kitchen to find Aunt Bonnie sitting at the table beneath the window with a cup of tea.

“Hi.”Aunt Bonnie treated her with a cheery smile.“How was your date?”

“It wasn’t a date.”The words were out of her mouth before she remembered the deal she’d made with Owen.“I mean, it was just a casual dinner.”

“And a stroll through the park.”

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