Page 12 of The Perfect Distraction

While she thought Colton was doing the right thing, she felt sorry for the little guy. She hadn’t known Joey that long, but she was already fond of him. With the proper guidance and encouragement, she was certain he’d become a better reader and maybe even learn to enjoy it.

“I pick Beth,” Joey said, and she couldn’t help but smile.

“I promise to make it fun for you,” she said. “And you’ll have plenty of time to do other things this summer too.”

Joey nodded, but Colton looked pained, and once again, she speculated about what was going on. Maybe he felt guilty for not getting to spend enough time with his son. Or maybe there were problems with Joey’s mom. Beth had a feeling she’d find out eventually especially if she’d be interacting with them all summer long. Suddenly, the thought of spending the summer alone didn’t sound as daunting anymore.

Their lunches were served shortly, and the three of them dug in, especially Joey, who had ordered chicken strips and fries. You’d have thought she’d had him doing manual labor for how heartily he ate.

Afterward, when Joey excused himself to use the restroom, Colton leaned forward like he had something important to say. “I’d like to pay you for helping him.” He kept his voice low as if he were discussing a shady deal.

She laughed at the ridiculousness of it, and then he looked offended.

“It just sounded funny,” she explained, “like we’re running some sort of covert operation.”

“Sorry,” he said, shaking his head. “I guess I’ve been taking things with Joey a little too seriously ever since…”

She leaned forward. “Ever since what?”

He sighed. “Ever since the divorce.”

He said the word divorce like it was extremely distasteful, which she understood, for many people, it was. She’d seen the fallout with some of her students and their parents, and she understood how devastating it could be.

“Joey mentioned it,” she said, letting him know she’d already been apprised of the situation.

Colton nodded, and then he took a long drink of water as if he were buying time to decide how much more he was willing to share.

Just then, Joey came racing back to the table, and their conversation came to an abrupt halt.

Colton paid with his credit card, and they walked out of the restaurant together.

“Do you want me to drop you off at home?” he asked when they’d reached his SUV.

“That’s okay. I’ll walk.” It seemed silly for him to drive her when the cottage was only a few blocks away.

“Joey? What do you say to Miss Beth?” Colton prompted.

“Thank you,” the boy said before running around the car to the passenger’s side.

Beth and Colton chuckled at how fast he’d darted away, and then an awkward silence fell.

“Thanks again for doing this,” Colton said.

She flapped her hand dismissively. “It was my pleasure. Really.”

“Do you want to call me when you’re ready to set up the next session?”

“Or I could just walk across the driveway,” she teased.

“Right,” he said, looking amused.

For some strange reason, any smile or laugh she got out of him felt like a personal victory, and the same applied to Joey. What was it about these two that made her want to please them?

“Be careful walking home,” he said as he opened his car door.

“Yes, Dad,” she said with an exaggerated eye roll.

That time, she got an even bigger chuckle out of him, and she saw that he was still smiling as he climbed into the car and drove away.