Page 221 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 9
“It’s not.” I took a huge gulp of my sangria. Was it? I wasn’t sure why I was even entertaining the idea. I was 100 percent not going to ever go on a date with my lifeguard. And even if I wanted to, which I didn’t, I was pretty sure he had a girlfriend.
“It is.” She lifted her glass in the air. “Here’s to hooking up with sexy lifeguards all summer.”
I wasn’t going to argue with her anymore. Instead, I clinked my glass with hers and un-paused the show. The only man I needed in my life was Swatch. He was probably a really good snuggler.
Those Summer Nights - Chapter 3
Wednesday
I wiped down the counter near the cash register. My shift ended soon and the ice cream shop was dead during dinner time. Everyone else wanted to work at night and on the weekends because they wanted good tips. But I didn't care. The thought of being behind this counter at night with the long lines didn't seem like a relaxing summer job at all. It sounded like a surefire way to lose my mind and end up locked in the freezer binge-eating all the stock. And I only needed to work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the day in order to afford my rent and groceries. My phone vibrated. I looked down and saw that my mother was trying to call me. There was one other girl in the shop right now and she was sitting in the back room talking to her boyfriend on the phone. She was always talking on the phone. I slipped my phone back in my pocket. I'd have to call my mom back later. Someone needed to man the counter.
I had originally wanted to come back home and stay with her for the summer to try and forget about everything, but my mother had a new boyfriend and it was only a matter of time before he officially moved in. That was how my mother operated. She loved hard and fast and fell out of love just as quickly. The last thing she needed was for her grownup daughter showing up on her doorstep and cramping her style. And even though her house was home to me, it felt like I was intruding on them.
I had also thought about staying with my father. But then I pictured his wife’s face if I announced I was coming there fora whole summer. It was enough to make me abandon that idea too.
This was the next best thing. I had spent so much time here in the summer it almost felt like home. It was enough. And I was finally starting to feel whole again. I was in a good routine. I’d made a new friend. Was I doing great? No. But I was doing okay. And that was enough for right now.
There was a spot on the counter that just wouldn't get clean. I scrubbed it harder. I never would have thought an ice cream shop would be hot, but it was stifling in here. I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand.
"Hey, Jellyfish Girl."
I froze.Oh my God.I looked up at the lifeguard. He was in his red lifeguard swim trunks but he was wearing a t-shirt. He looked amazing even without his six pack showing. I realized I was staring awkwardly at him. "Hey...lifeguard."
He laughed and leaned on the counter. "I almost didn't recognize you with so many clothes on. How are your stings feeling?"
He was being so forward. I could feel my face blushing. "A lot better, thanks to you."
"I was just doing my job." He smiled at me. He had definitely just gotten off of work and was walking back to wherever he lived. But I had never seen him walk past the ice cream shop before. Maybe he was here to get some ice cream. His eyes were stillhidden behind his aviators. I wished I could see what color they were. I was being ridiculous. He probably had a girlfriend.
"So this is where you work when you're not at the beach?" he asked.
"Yes, this is my glamorous summer job."
"Do you work weekends too? This place is always packed on the weekend. You must make insane tips."
"No, thank God. Just Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the day. I do not want to deal with that many people."
He laughed. "Yeah, summer is supposed to be relaxing."
I found myself leaning forward, hoping to figure out what he smelled like so I could appease Kristen. That was definitely the only reason. But I couldn’t get close enough without sprawling myself all over the counter. "I know. My bosses can't believe I don't want those hours, but I can't even imagine being here at night, let alone on the weekend."
"I couldn't agree more. That's why I chose not to work the weekend shifts."
"Yeah, I know. I mean, I didn't know that for sure. I just noticed that you weren't there on the weekends. Not like I always notice you or anything. I just meant in a normal spectator of the beach way. Like, I'm pretty sure every person that frequents the beach recognizes their normal lifeguard. That's a thing."Oh my God, stop talking!
"Sure. In a beach spectator way. Of course." He was smiling at me.
Kill me now."So, did you want some ice cream or are you just stalking me?"
"Stalking you? If anything you're stalking me. You visit me at my place of work all the time. And you always sit right next to me like a really obvious, bad stalker." He raised his eyebrow at me.
Shit."I'm not stalking you...I..."
"I know." He laughed again and leaned forward a little more. "So I have to ask, what is better than sex?"
"What?" My face was probably redder than it had ever been. All the euphemisms for sex Kristen mentioned last night started to roll around in my head. Especially that Thanksgiving turkey one, until all I could think to say was something about a Thanksgiving feast. Instead I bit the inside of my lip so I wouldn’t accidentally start talking about anal.
He pointed to the wall that listed all the flavors. "The ice cream flavor. Better Than Sex." He flashed me another smile.
