Page 5 of A Summer Mismatch
“Yes, unfortunately so. One should never wash their children-placed-makeup off in the gas-station bathroom.”
“Rule number one, really.”
She snorted out a laugh, and then covered her mouth. His phone buzzed with another text, probably from his dad with more excuses. Or maybe Willow wondering when he’d be there. He pushed his phone deeper into his pocket.
“I have to ask.” He paused. “I’mreallyhoping you’re an author?”
She placed her hands on her hips indignantly. “Why would you assume I’m not a serial killer?” Her mouth twitched as she indicated her face. “I mean, look at the evidence.”
He held his hands up at his sides, his grin widening. “It is compelling. I’ll try not to make wrong assumptions in the future.”
“I’d really appreciate that.” She dropped her arms with a laugh. “I have no idea why I blurted that out about killing people. Well, I do know, it’s because I was just thinking about how much I look like a psychopath.” She gave him an evil smile, but then it blended back into normal. “But I’m not. A psychopath.”
“Pretty sure only a psychopath needs to assure people they’re not one.”
“True.” Her eyes narrowed playfully. “But, yes, I’m an author. You’ve never heard of me, because I’ve only published children’s books.”
“With murders?”
“No. With cute, fluffy animals. My murdery stories haven’t been published yet. They’re for adults.”
“Ah.” He pulled his lips in, but couldn’t keep from smiling still.
“Well…” She backed away, toward her white van. “Thanks for not getting mad at me. I hope you have a good afternoon with your niece and nephew.”
“Thank you for…” Logan couldn’t think of what to thank her for. Making him smile on today of all days? Giving him the gift of distraction for a few moments? She raised her brows. “Ruining my boring shirt?” he finished.
She gave him a dubious look, like she was debating if maybe he was the psychopath, and then she shook her head and laughed. “It was nice to meet you. Have a great day.”
She jogged away before he could call out after her and do something creepy like asking her name or phone number or if he could see her again.You don’t pick up women in the gas station parking lot, Logan.For all he knew, she was dating someone or married. He didn’t need to add rejection to his list of hard things today.
He went inside and grabbed his chips and some treats for the family. Afterward, while he waited beside his truck for his gas to pump, he googled “children’s authors from Florida who write books about fluffy animals“ but there were too many to count. It made him kind of proud of how prolific people in his state were.
He finally opened his text message to see the new one from his dad.
Dad:Sorry. I tried to rearrange my schedule, but I couldn’t get it off.
Dad had known about this dinner for months. Logan hadn’t wanted to do it either, but it meant a lot to Willow that they get together today. He couldn’t think of anything kind to say to his dad, so instead he turned his screen off and plugged his phone into his portable charger.
He thought about the intriguing woman again. It was for the best he couldn’t find her name. Meeting her had been a great distraction, but it was time to leave the sunlight and enter into the cloudy storm of his family.
CHAPTER THREE
Julia
Juliarifledthroughherbackpack, double-checking that she’d packed all of Cameron’s things for the day, while trying to pretend she hadn’t seen that text come in a moment ago. Her eyes stung, but she refused to cry over her boyfriend. Ex-boyfriend now? She needed to stay distracted.
Sunscreen, check.
Water bottle, check.
Medications, check.
Change of clothes, check.
“Bye bye. Bye bye.” Cameron pressed the goodbye icon over and over on his communication device, which they called his talker, while Julia searched for her car keys. Thankfully, she’d returned the van to the school, though she’d need to drive it again for reading buddies at The Palms this week. Cameron loved riding in her blue convertible with the top down, and the weather was absolutely perfect for it today.
“I’m coming, Cameron,” she promised. “We’ll have lots of time at the wildlife center.”
