Page 32 of Between the Lines

Oh shit, Caden is actually right there.

“Morning,” he drops casually, stopping between his car and mine, dragging an enormous cooler behind him. I pop up, Daisy in my arms. She reaches with a dimpled hand and pulls the strap of my tank top down.

Yes, honey, please show my boss/landlord my tit.

I fix it, attempting to compose myself, and straighten the yellow bandana over my french braids.

This is the first time I’ve seen Caden since he helped me move in on Friday. Though he could’ve been here and I wouldn’t have known—all weekend I was knee-deep toddler-proofing the rental with cabinet locks, outlet covers, and hiding all the expensive decor she’d love to break. Or chew on.

“Good morning,” I reply in a huff, smiling.

Caden squats down, picking up Daisy’s small giraffe and handing it to her. I hadn’t even noticed she dropped it.

Tentatively, she reaches out, big green eyes locked on him. He smiles—like actually smiles—and Daisy wraps her little fingers around the stuffed animal and pulls it to her chest.

“Thanks,” I reply, staring at my daughter, not him.

“Everything good this weekend, no issues with the guesthouse?” Caden says, unlocking his trunk and bending over, giving me a generous view of the muscles in his back through his thin white shirt. He lifts the cooler into his trunk.

“Everything was great, thanks.” I tilt my head towards the trunk. “You off to the beach for the day?”

I would kill for one uninterrupted day at the beach . . . I could get so much reading done.

Caden shuts the trunk, face unreadable. “No, I’m dropping off some stuff at the food pantry downtown.”

Oh. I’m rendered speechless. That’s the absolute last thing I thought would come out of his mouth. Maybe I judged him a bit too harshly.

“Right!” I force a smile. “Well, if you hear any updates on the house, please—”

He narrows those gray eyes, giving me a long look. “Like I promised, I’ll text you any updates as soon as I get them.”

My chest untightens. Barely.

“I better get going. I don’t want to be late for work,” I joke, and Caden crosses his arms, a minuscule smirk on his pink lips. He really does have a nice smile—but maybe that’s because I’ve never seen it until recently.

“Better do that,” he says. “Heard the owner is a real asshole.”

I laugh despite myself, and bite my lip to stop it. I strap Daisy into her car seat as Caden gets into his Jeep.

Why am I so awkward?

Should I wave goodbye? Wish him a good day? He’s my neighbor . . . kinda, but also my boss . . . definitely not my friend . . . but he was friendly towards me this morning?

I don’t have to decide though because Caden turns down his car stereo and calls out to me.

“With everything going on,” he says, easing aviator sunglasses onto his face, “it slipped my mind, but I wanted to mention that you can use the pool. As much as you want.”

“Oh, thanks. I don’t swim,” I blurt out and immediately recoil.

Why the hell did I just say that? I love to swim.

“You can’t swim or don’t?” He looks semi-concerned.

“I only swim in the ocean,” I lie again.

What is going on with me?

My heart ticks up a notch.