“You look like you’re feeling better,” she says when I reach her.Her cheeks flush with color.“I mean, you just look like you’re moving easier.”
I grin, unable to hide my own happiness that she seems to be at least a little attracted to me, since I’m so drawn to her.At least it’s not just me.“I am.You look good, too.”
She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes as she turns back toward the water.“I like coming out here sometimes.I had a break between shifts, so I wanted to get some fresh air.”
“How are things?I haven’t really seen you around.”
“I’ve been busy.From what I’ve heard from Thomas, so are you.How is Kyle doing?”
“Really well.”I point toward the church.“He just finished a bookshelf for the church, and he’s gotten his grades up at the charter school he’s doing now.”
“That’s so good.”She looks genuinely pleased.“His sister?”
“The medication they have her on seems to be working really well.She’s been seizure-free for three weeks.”
She looks genuinely relieved despite not having a close relationship with the Harding family.It’s just another reason I’m drawn to her.She cares.Deeply.About everyone.Not a quality you find in a lot of people these days.“I’m happy to hear that.”
I shove both hands into my pockets.“How’s Thomas?”
“Good.Ready for baseball camp.He’s counting down the days.
“And you?”
“Less excited that he’ll be spending his spring break away from me, but I’m excited for him.I know he can’t wait.”
“Well, if you get bored while he’s gone and want to hang out, we can do dinner or something.I do owe you a lasagna, remember?”The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them, and I mentally kick myself for choosing that particular verbiage to ask her out to dinner.
“I’ll let you know.I’ll probably be busy with work, though.”
Ouch.“Sure.”I run a hand over the back of my hair.Just ask.“Listen, did I do something?”
“What?”She turns toward me.
“To offend you.It’s just, you’ve been kind of distant.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I saw you around a lot, and now it’s?—”
“We lived next door to each other for months before we officially met.I’m just busy.You didn’t do anything.”She flashes me a guarded smile.As she starts to turn back toward the water, she freezes, her face paling.
I turn, trying to see what she’s looking at.
A man dressed in black pants and a black sweatshirt is running toward us on the beach.He’s too far away for me to recognize, but her body is stiff, her eyes wide as she watches him closely.
I move in closer, my system going on alert in response to her reaction.
“Katelyn, what is it?”
She doesn’t answer as he grows closer, but her body language says it all—she’s afraid.Her breathing is rapid, her hands trembling at her sides.
When the man gets closer, I realize it’s Drew, one of the mechanics at Sawyer’s shop.He offers us both a friendly smile and runs past us without so much as breaking stride.I don’t know him well, but he seems like a good man.Married with two kids.
So why does she look at him like he’s an unwanted shadow darkening her door?
I turn back to Katelyn.“Are you okay?Do you know him?”
She shakes her head.“No.I thought—sorry.I, uh, I need to go.I have work.”She forces a smile and turns away without waiting for my response.