“It was obvious,” he said. “By the time I spotted Adele, she would have drowned if you weren’t there. It was my fault for letting anything distract me from my job. It won’t happen again.”
Shelby found herself trying to comfort him. “We both drifted out of your territory. It was partly our fault.”
“No excuse,” he said. “If you hadn’t been there…”
“But I was,” she said.
He reached out his hand to her. “I’m Logan. You’re my new neighbor, Shelby, right?”
She almost said “I know” but stopped herself. His handshake was strong and put her off balance in a good sort of way. “Shelby.”
“Nice to formally meet you, Shelby.”
His color was returning now. Their eyes met and the intensity of the moment seemed to stop time. Shelby caught her breath and tried to respond. “Me too. I mean, you too.”
His smile lit his face and dimples graced his cheeks. Shelby’s heart pounded as the adrenaline letdown encompassed her like a rogue wave. She swooned, a bit dizzy, and he reached out to catch her.
“Sit down,” he said. “I can’t believe I didn’t ask you if you’re all right.”
After plopping on the sand near the lifeguard station, Shelby took deep breaths, trying to slow down the spinning. She really didn’t want him to see her like this, and his warm hand on her shoulder was not helping her accelerated heart rate.
“I’m okay,” she said, trying to stand. He gently pulled her up. The close proximity of his body made her sway again.
“That was very brave,” he whispered.
All Shelby could do was nod and stare numbly toward the lake.
“Can I get you some water or something?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I’m fine. I’ll go home and rest.”
Logan scanned over his shoulder at his station, where the other lifeguard was still waiting for him. “If you’re feeling okay, I’d better get back to work now.”
She didn’t want to become a distraction herself now. “Of course. Sorry to delay you.”
“Don’t be,” he said. “In fact, how about I take you for an ice cream after I get off work today? You earned it.”
Shelby took a few steps back. “Sure…yes.” She was acting like an idiot. “I’ve got to go now.”
“The beach closes at five,” he said as she turned to leave. “Meet me here?”
Shelby tried to act casual, but her voice sounded ten octaves higher when she agreed. On her way to get her belongings off the beach, Shelby spotted Madison and her friends again. Emily from Redd’s was with them, and she gave Shelby a thumbs up and smiled. But one of the other girls stepped forward, hands on her hips. “Oh look, it’s the hero,” she said sarcastically.
Shelby shrugged her shoulders and smiled. “Gee, thanks.”
Laughing to herself, she walked home, her mind racing with all the things she needed to do before the beach closed. Wash her hair, figure out what to wear, tell her grandmother, and learn how to breathe again.
At 4:55 precisely, Shelby took one last glance in the full-length mirror. She’d washed her thick waves and let them drape over her shoulders as they dried. It was still close to eighty degrees outside, so she wore her new denim shorts with a crisp white t-shirt and her sparkly white Sketchers. She’d considered the sundress, but it seemed a bit dressy for ice cream. Her heart did a flip as she headed for the door.
“This is no big deal,” she told herself. “You’re sixteen years old—well, just barely—and he is only being nice.” She remembered how it felt to have his hand on her shoulder and his concerned eyes focused on her. “Deep breath,” she told herself.
Her grandmother held the front door open. The smile on Alice’s face reassured Shelby that all was going to be fine. “You look lovely. Remember to have fun,” she said. “And don’t forget these.”
Shelby took the sunglasses she’d almost forgotten, then hugged her grandmother. “You are the best.”
She traipsed down the two steps and followed the path leading to the sand. In the distance the lake glistened. Gulls caught the breeze, filling the air with their piercing calls. The beach was mostly deserted, and the “closed” sign was turned forward at the lifeguard stand. She watched Logan slip into his flip-flops, pick up his gym bag, turn, and wave in her direction.
She felt weighted to the sand as he approached. He was probably a few years older than her. Confidence radiated off him, and yet he seemed kind. Was he