Page 81 of The Perfect Distraction

Becca bought the same shirt in purple, and they chose a blue one for Brooke.

Afterward, they browsed through some more stores, and Becca picked up a few more souvenirs along the way. When they came to the bookstore, Becca suggested Beth go inside while she went up ahead. Since Becca wasn’t an avid reader like she was, Beth agreed, although she questioned what Becca was up to as she jauntily walked away.

But once she stepped inside the cozy bookstore, she forgot all about Becca and everything else on her mind. It didn’t matter how many times she came there (or to any bookstore); she discovered something new each time. She spent some time reading the backs of some of the new releases, choosing a historical fiction novel that caught her interest, and then she drifted toward the back of the store.

Before she realized it, she was in the children’s section, and she browsed the shelves, searching for something for Joey. When she came upon a book about fossils that she hadn’t seen at the library, she decided to buy it for him. Even if she never saw him after the summer was over, she wanted to leave him with something to remember her by. Maybe someday, he’d credit her with his renewed interest in reading. It was a hope she had for all her students, not just him. At least, that was what she told herself as she went up to the counter.

“I’ve seen you in before,” the clerk said as she rang up Beth’s purchase.

Beth nodded. “A few times. I’m a book lover.” She refused to use the term “book nerd” because she didn’t like the sound of it.

“Me too. Obviously, since I work here,” the clerk said drily.

Beth laughed as she handed over her credit card. “If I worked here, I’d probably go broke!”

“It’s true, but I try to restrain myself. Did you recently move here?”

“No. I’m just visiting for the summer.”

“Oh. Well, maybe I’ll see you again, then.” The clerk smiled as she handed Beth the bag.

“You definitely will,” Beth said.

When she stepped back outside, she looked up and down the street for Becca but didn’t see any sign of her. Thinking she might have gone into the antique shop on the corner, Beth walked in that direction, peering into the other store windows as she went. Just then, Becca came out of the shop next to the antique store, wearing a smug smile. Beth looked up at the sign above the shop and shook her head—Calloway Real Estate.

When they were safely past it, Beth said, “What did you go in there for?”

“I just wanted to check it out, and I might have left my card at the front desk.”

“Was Simon there?”

“No. The receptionist said he was out for the rest of the day, but she’d let him know I stopped by.”

“And what are you expecting will happen? You’re leaving tomorrow.”

“I’m not sure, but I didn’t want Simon Calloway to have the last word.”

The subject of Christopher came up later that evening after she and Becca had eaten dinner and were sitting in the sunroom enjoying a glass of wine.

“So, what are you going to do about Christopher?” Becca asked as she twisted the wineglass around in her neatly manicured hand.

Becca was much more into fashion and her appearance than Beth and Brooke were. Not that she and Brooke didn’t take good care of themselves, but Becca always went the extra mile. She was a firm believer in regular manicures, pedicures, and massages. Not to mention that she had enough hair and makeup products to open her own salon. Even though she owned all that stuff, she still managed to look naturally beautiful, and it was a skill that she’d perfected. With her long, highlighted hair and her stylish clothes and jewelry, she always looked put together even on a ninety-degree day with high humidity. If Becca hadn’t been her sister, Beth might have been jealous of her, but as it was, she adored and admired her sister. Not only was she beautiful, but she was whip-smart with a quick sense of humor and a kind heart. She’d do anything for the people she loved, and that included Beth.

“Honestly? I don’t know. When I first read the email, I wanted to scream. If he’d sent it months ago, things might have been different, but now…”

“Now you have Colton and Joey.”

“I don’t really have them.”

“But you could if you wanted to.”

“How can you be so certain?”

“I can just tell from the things you’ve said and from the way he looked at you.”

“Maybe he just likes playing baseball with me,” Beth said dismissively.

“I’m sure you’re a good baseball player, but there are a lot of other athletes out there, if you know what I mean.”