Page 13 of The Perfect Distraction

That night, her sister Becca called.

“Were your ears ringing today?” Beth said.

“Why? Were you talking about me?”

“Yep.”

“To whom?”

“To a sweet nine-year-old boy named Joey.”

“Huh?”

Beth went on to explain about Joey and Colton and how she was tutoring Joey for the summer.

“You want to teach on your break?” Becca said, sounding incredulous.

“That’s the same thing Colton said.”

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. You love teaching. It’s just that I thought you needed a break—from everything.”

“I do, but it’s also kind of quiet here by myself. Joey might be the perfect distraction.”

“What about his dad?” Becca asked.

“What about him?”

“Is he good looking?”

“Yes,” Beth answered immediately.

“Dad bod?”

“Why are you asking this?”

“I’m just wondering if he’s going to be the perfect distraction too?”

“Bec.”

“Sorry. It’s just that you haven’t gone on a date since…”

“I know when, and it hasn’t been that long.”

“It’s been almost a year.”

“I’m still healing.”

“Are you?”

“What does that mean?”

Becca sighed. “Look. I get that you closed down for a while after ‘the incident,’ but I think it’s time to move on, don’t you?”

“I’m trying to.”

“Hiding out in an empty cottage in Harbor Springs isn’t exactly what I meant.”

Beth had been sitting curled up on a loveseat in the living room, but now she stood up and started pacing.