Old Orchard

Annabelle

It is Craig's last day in Old Orchard, and I am sad knowing it is coming to an end for him. He had fun visiting the spots as Carla, and I showed everything off as if it was for the first time. My sister was a lot nicer to him than usual, and it was nice not having to hear the two of them bicker back and forth. Craig had skipped the rest of the morning runs, with Luke and me deciding to sleep in during his vacation. We were planning on going to the amusement park but had run out of time. The biggest thing that took up our time was lying out on the beach. "Can you take me to the shelter before I have to leave today?" Craig asks, plopping on his sandals.

"Sure," I say, not knowing how I feel about Craig and Luke being around each other. Kids back home always got the wrong impression of Craig and me, and I did not want Luke thinking that something was going on here. Saying he does not feel like walking, we take Carla's car.

Swinging the door stepping into the shelter, I see Rebecca on the floor, and then I hear them. "Oh my gosh!" I say, looking down at six chocolate lab puppies. "They came!"

"Nice," Craig says, bending down while he pets two of them.

Rebecca stands, brushing the fur off her pants "you brought me another volunteer?" she asks while glancing at Craig.

"Not today. He has a plane to catch. Rebecca, this is Craig – Craig, this is Rebecca, this is her shelter."

They mumble hellos while we are all distracted by the cute puppies sitting on the floor. The back door swings open, and my eyes lock on Luke's and then slide down to his rippling abs as he wipes his face with his shirt in his hands. "Luke, what did I say about taking your shirt off during visiting hours?" Rebecca scolds him like she is his mom rather than his aunt. He mumbles a sorry while he slips it back on sadly. Craig is watching me while I watch Luke, and I blush, knowing I have been caught.

"Hey," Luke says to me and then to Craig.

"You didn't tell me they were here," I say, stepping over next to Luke pushing him a bit without him budging at all. The last week running, we got a lot more comfortable with one another. I am leaving at the end of the summer. I should not be getting comfortable with him... Or should I? These were the thoughts always running through my head when I was with Luke.

"They just got here. That's why I look like this," he says, waving his arms up and down his body. "I was rushing so I could play with them before my shift at The Pier."

"You are working tonight?"

"Yes, and you should not be one of my customers," he says, not liking my underage drinking. I told him the day before how I had given it up until that night in the bar with Oliver and his brother.

"Fine," I say glumly, wishing I could see him later.

Craig clears his throat, letting us know we are not alone. I see a smirk cross across Luke's face for a second, and then it vanishes just as fast.

"We should get you to the airport with enough time for your flight," I say, and we are heading out the door after I bend down to pet a few of the puppies for myself, and I am giddy with anticipation knowing I can come in tomorrow and play with them all day if I want to.