Daring the Bad Boy (Endless Summer)(35)

His words had stuck with me all through the first session. There weren’t any campers who caught my interest, because I wouldn’t let it happen. And then I met Annie and though at first I’d found her a pain in the ass more than anything, she grew on me. To the point that I couldn’t stop thinking about her…

I’d thrown myself into work, trying to focus on what I needed to do versus what I wanted to do. I started assisting Dewey again with the beginners’ swim lessons twice a week in the mornings. I helped Brian with the bonfire pit for the night activities. Just last night I told a ghost story, scaring the crap out of the ten-year-olds so that they ran shrieking for their cabin.

That had been fun. Brian and I got a good laugh out of that one. Even Uncle Bob had chuckled, telling me later that he was glad that I was “coming around.”

Whatever that meant.

When the arts and crafts building came into view, I slowed down, going over in my mind exactly how I should approach her. I didn’t really want to barge into the room and go right up to her. I didn’t want to cause a scene. Subtlety was the name of the game.

I slipped just inside the building, remaining against the back wall where no one really noticed me. Nancy was at her desk, her head bent as she assembled something. My gaze searched the room, trying to find Annie’s familiar blond head, and when I finally found her, the ache in my heart that I didn’t know was there suddenly eased.

She was sitting at the table near the front of the room, putting together what looked like a picture frame made out of Popsicle sticks. Well, she was really helping out, since every table had an older camper sitting at it, assisting the younger kids with their Popsicle stick projects. Forgetting my subtlety plan, I went straight to her table and stood behind her, waiting for her to look up and acknowledge me. But she wouldn’t, though I knew she saw me. I could tell by the subtle shift of her head in my direction.

She kept her gaze locked on the half-completed picture frame in front of her, her voice pitched unnaturally high as she talked to one of the girls she was helping. Her hands started to shake when she tried to straighten out a crooked Popsicle stick in her frame, and I gave in, both hating and liking that I made her so nervous.

“I need to tell you something, Annie,” I said.

Her head still bent, she murmured, “Go away.”

Hurt, I blew out a harsh breath and knelt beside her, not caring who was watching. I saw another set of girls from her cabin sitting at the other tables, their eyes wide as they studied us together. I was giving them a full show for their gossipy conversations over dinner later, but I didn’t really care. I needed to talk to Annie before I started my shift. “I know we haven’t talked the last few days but I’ve been busy.”

She turned her head toward me, her gaze meeting mine for what felt like the first time in forever. Looking into those pretty, dark blue eyes made my chest ache. “Busy doing what? Avoiding me?”

I chuckled, surprised and impressed at her calling me out. “Maybe.”

I started to stand, but she grabbed my hand, pulling me back down beside her. “I need to help everyone finish their projects first before I can talk to you.”

“Right, because Popsicle stick picture frames are coveted works of art.” I snorted. She glared, and I immediately regretted my crappy remark. “Sorry. I need to get to work, so I don’t have much time.”

Her expression softened, though I could still see the anger in her gaze. “What did you want to talk to me about, anyway?”

I glanced around, then lowered my voice. “I can’t really say in front of everyone else.”

She sent me a withering glance before she looked away. Like she didn’t believe me.

Scooting closer, I pushed myself in between her chair and the girl sitting next to her, offering an excuse me when I bumped into the other girl. I leaned my arm across the table, my hand close to Annie’s as I leaned in and whispered near her ear, “I’m sorry.”

Her head jerked toward mine, her face close. Kissing close. Not that I was about to do anything like that in the middle of arts and crafts. “That’s not going to get you off the hook.” Her voice trembled.

I moved in even closer, tilting my head so I could breathe in the scent of her hair. I knew I’d missed her, but having her so near was making me think all sorts of thoughts. Bad ones. Ones I couldn’t act on because fraternizing with campers was taboo. “We agreed earlier that I’d give you a swim lesson tonight, but I can’t make it,” I murmured as I reluctantly pulled away from her.

“Whatever.” She looked away, her expression irritated, and my stomach churned.

She seemed mad. And it felt like I could do nothing right.

“I have to help lead the hike tonight.” I really didn’t want to do it, but my uncle pretty much said I had to. It was an annual thing, and they needed every counselor on duty. Even Dane had to work it.

She still said nothing.

I stood, my neck bent so I could keep watching her. “Come on, Annie. Talk to me.”

Glancing up, she stared at me quietly. It was like the entire room had become quiet. Even Nancy was watching us with unmistakable interest.

My coming in here was probably not the smartest move.

I walked away from her table without a word and went to the other side of the room. A countertop ran the entire stretch of the far wall, shelves and cubbies below filled with all sorts of crafting stuff. A row of narrow shelves housed colorful construction paper, and I pulled a bright blue piece out of its slot.