Moonglass by Jessi Kirby Page B

a young guy, but the lines around his eyes told a different story. He was probably a perma-seasonal, as my dad called them. Guys that started out lifeguarding for their summer jobs at sixteen and just kept on doing it and living the life. I liked James already. He was like every one of my dad’s friends that came around. All of them wanted to be young forever, and at some point they neglected to realize that they weren’t. We both stood and watched Mona bump farther and farther away.
    “So, little Ryan.” He turned to me. “You’re looking for Tyler Evans, just so you know. There’s about five Tylers who work here, but he’s the one you sicced your dad on the other day. Unintentionally, I’m sure. He’s been banished to Tower Two for the last week.” I stood silently, not knowing if I should apologize or laugh. James helped me out. “Walk on down and say hi. It’s the least you could do. And, hey, tonight’s the end of the season lifeguard bonfire, down at Muddy Creek.” He held his arms out like a circus ringleader, then bowed to me. “If he doesn’t invite you, then, I have.” With that he picked up his binoculars and scanned the water to the south, then swept up to the north, where I was sure Mona and her amazingly toned butt were the main points of interest.
    “Thanks,” I said, and turned south, toward Tower Two.
    “See you tonight, sunshine!” James called out. “Bring your tiny blond friend.” I turned back and put my hands to my mouth.
    “She’s too young for you!”
    James put a hand to his chest like he had been stabbed, and staggered backward for a second before resuming his position leaning over the railing. I turned around, smiling and plotting as I walked.
    It was one of the last weekends before school, and the beach was packed. Most of the sand in front of our house was claimed already, different groups marking their territory with bright beach towels and umbrellas. The tide was high and there was swell, which made the beach even small er. I walked in the wet sand, and when a big set rolled through, the water splashed warm over my feet. Just ahead of me were the tide pools, now crawling with people, and I smiled, remembering Tyler’s exasperation at running down there. James didn’t seem too concerned, although today would be the day to be. The first wave of a set thundered down onto the rocks, and people let out a collective yell , then scurried for a safer spot. I kept my eyes on Tower Two, which was a long walk down the beach.
    Once I passed the tide pools, the crowd thinned out and I slowed down. Directly in front of me as I walked was the point I had run to my first day here. The point where my dad had told me my parents had met. I looked down, remembering the piece of glass I’d found that first day, but the waves had scoured the sand clean. When I rounded a small er point, Tyler’s tower came into view, but I didn’t see him on the deck. I straightened up and walked more carefully, just in case he happened to be looking in my direction through his binoculars. When I was sure I was close enough for him to have to notice me, I smiled and attempted to saunter over with an ease that I hoped looked believable. He came out of his tower shaking his head. I put my chin up and feigned innocence. “What?”
    “Anna Ryan,” he said, still shaking his head. My stomach jumped at the sound of my name spoken by his voice. “Boss’s daughter …”
    “I couldn’t tell you he was my dad right off the bat. You wouldn’t have given me your little tour.” Tyler’s eyebrows raised behind his sunglasses as he leaned forward with an emphatic look in each direction. “Where is he, by the way? Did you tell him you were coming on down, cuz it’s just about time he got down here to bug me today. And now he has a real reason.”
    “Funny.” I rested a hand on my hip. He looked down, and I guessed that he was looking me over from behind his sunglasses, the same as I was him. I hoped he was