Page 42 of Summer Holiday Lifeline

“How would that work when we go home?”

He had a point. One Myles didn’t want to look too hard at, just in case Steven’s face popped up in the question.

CHAPTER TEN

“Do you think if you stand there and stare long enough, you’ll draw his attention and he’ll come over?” Stephanie asked as she dropped a box of books on the table.

Steven ignored her.

“I’m not doing this inventory on my own, brother dearest.”

“I’ll do it. You don’t have to help if you don’t want to.”

“I already said I would.”

“Perfectly capable.” He glared at the B and B rather than her. Not wanting to admit he might have been waiting for a glimpse of Myles, he figured if he ignored her question, she might forget she’d asked it.

“Stevie. Come away from the window.”

“Shut up.” He threw petulance at her like he had toys when they were little.

Just as quick now as she had been then, she caught it and tossed it back. “I’m going to pretend you’re not being a jerk because I know you’re not really mad at me. You’re just grumpy because you can’t mind-control your crush.”

“He’s not my crush.”

“Isn’t he, though?”

“He came here one time.”

“Twice. Don’t forget he rescued you that time.”

“He didn’t rescue me.”

Even without turning, he could sense her eye roll.

“Fine,” he conceded. “Twice. And it’s not like I’m wishing he would come back. He will.”

“So confident.”

“He hasn’t paid for Jet’s LP. He’ll remember and come back.”

“Or.” She left the box and came to lean on him. “You could go over there.”

“Because that’s not stalkery at all.”

“Order food, doofus.”

“And hope for a glimpse of him? What am I, fifteen?”

“Well.” She straightened and grabbed the cuff of his cardigan. “If you’re not obsessed, then come and help me put these books out. They aren’t going to jump onto the shelves under their own power.”

He followed her back to the seating area and dropped into the wingback. “You know, everyone we know has told me, at one time or another, that you are always butting into their business and offering a ton of unsolicited advice.”

She had the decency to wince slightly, but quickly replaced that with a grin. “As I do.”

“Not to me.”

“Sorry?”