Reclaimed Hearts: A second chance, forced proximity romance

Rediscovering Connections

Reid’s brows raised, and he blinked a few times before pursing his lips. “Excuse me?”

“I didn’t mean that rudely,” I stated, not wanting him to think that. “But, you being here poses a slight issue. I was hired to house sit.”

Reid nodded slowly, as if he still wasn’t catching on.

“To house sit, Reid. Your parents hired me to stay here because no one was going to be home. Hired me to take care of the dogs. But now you’re here, so I don’t need to be.”

The look on Reid’s face didn’t change. It was completely blank, like he comprehended what I said, yet didn’t understand why I was making a big deal out of it.

“Reid!” Exasperation set in. I pushed my still damp curls away from my face.

He just shook his head and crunched on the last of his chips. Standing, he crumpled all his garbage into a ball and threw it away in the can under the sink. “Marlowe. If you leave, you don’t get paid, right?”

I shrugged. Obviously, that would be the case. First things first, one of us would have to call the Bennetts and let them know Reid was on the island for the summer. Once they knew that, they would most likely pay me for the days I had been here so far, because they were fair and kind people, but then I would be out.

“Not a huge deal. Can’t expect to get paid for a job that I’m not doing.” I finished my lunch and wrapped up the remaining sandwich to put in the fridge. Even if I left, I knew Reid would eat it eventually.

Reid leaned against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest. Again, his muscles strained against the sleeves of his t-shirt and I couldn’t look away. When did he get those? Did he start working out this year?

I finally looked up, finding him with the expression I used to hate. The all-knowing look. The one that said, “Marlowe, you’re wrong and you know you’re wrong. So I’m giving you a moment until you figure it out yourself.”

I used to hate it because he was always right. It just took me a few extra seconds to get the lightbulb moment.

“Of course it’s a big deal, Mars. First off, my parents trusted you. They—”

“They called me as a last resort,” I interrupted. They hadn’t chosen me for any specific reason other than that.

He shook his head, a curl escaping the bunch and falling over his forehead. He reached up and pushed it back, his hands combing through his hair as he did.

My heart skipped a beat.

“They called you because they trust you. But also, if it was as last minute as you say, then they probably were paying you some good money to drop everything and come stay here.” He quirked his brow.

My eyes narrowed, and I pursed my lips, folding my arms over my chest in an effort to intimidate him. It was the only thing that used to work. Usually it made him laugh, in my lame attempt to look intimidating, but at least it got my point across.

This time, though, he didn’t laugh. He stared me down until I broke.

I shrugged again. He wasn’t wrong; the money the Bennetts were offering was more than I would make at the Seaside Cafe for the entire summer. I had already made a mental list of all the things I could do with that money. Namely, putting it toward college and a car.

“Again, not a huge deal. It wasn’t like I was planning on the money. It was a nice bonus, but that’s all. I still have my job at the cafe and at the mansion when needed. I’m good.”

Reid frowned, his head tilted to the side. I couldn’t tell what was running through his mind. Regardless of what he thought, my points were valid. There was only the small issue of working the Masquerade tonight. But before I could ask Reid if I could pack up and go in the morning instead, he had slipped his buzzing phone out of his pocket and swiped at it a few times before putting it to his ear and walking toward the backyard where the dogs were rough housing.

I took that as my cue to leave, too. As soon as I got back into the guest room, I groaned. I still had to do my hair and makeup, not to mention pack my work clothes in my bag. And because of all the craziness that happened, I now had less than an hour to finish before I had to leave. Reid’s house was much further from the mansion than mine, and it would take almost twice as long to bike there. I had plenty of time when I was in the shower earlier, but that slipped away and I would have to rush.

I heard the sliding door open and Reid return, so I stuck my head out of the bedroom and called for him. “Hey, since the event is going to go pretty late tonight, is it okay if I pack up and head out in the morning? I don’t have time to get ready, pack, swing by my house, and make it to work.”

Reid appeared in the hallway and shot back the look he seemed to have permanently attached to his face now—one of confusion. “You’re biking to the mansion? That’s on the other side of the island.”

I grimaced. “I know. I was going to change when I got there. If I bike slow, I won’t sweat too much.” But the worry in his eyes told me that wasn’t what he was concerned with.

“I’ll drive you.” I opened my mouth to argue, but he held up a hand to stop me. “And what do you mean, pack up in the morning?”

Was this boy not paying attention to anything I had been saying this entire time? Honestly, from the moment he stood in the kitchen with a bat, everything I said seemed to go in one ear and out the other. It was like he didn’t bother to digest my comments the same way I had been hanging on to his every word.

He had my entire focus, yet I was an afterthought for him.

“To leave, obviously. Reid, are you not understanding what I’ve been saying? You’re here. Your parents don’t need me to house sit anymore. The only issue right now is that I don’t want to carry my bags home or to the mansion, not that I really have time to do either—”

Once again, he cut me off. Maybe that was the problem—he was so caught up in his own thoughts, he wasn’t considering mine.

“You’re not leaving, Marlowe.”