I pushed open the door to Maddy’s room, ready to give her a hard time for listening to electronic-pop music. It wasn’t her usual taste. “Hey, Maddy, what are you—” I stopped mid-sentence.

“Hey.” Carly gripped a towel tightly around her.

“Oh.” I forced myself to turn away despite the pleasant view of seeing her in just that blue cotton towel. Her skin was slightly red from the hot shower she must have just taken.

“Yeah… could you give me a second?” Her cheeks were red, but otherwise she seemed unconcerned with my entrance. That probably meant she was really embarrassed. She was trying hard to hold it together.

“Oh, sure.” I backed out of the room awkwardly. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

I closed the door securely behind me and walked back to the main room. I made the mental note to start knocking on that door. It wasn’t Maddy, my friend who could care less if I saw her in a towel. It was Carly, the gorgeous girl who also happened to be Colin’s little sister. If I didn’t watch myself she’d think I’d invited her to live with us for other reasons. I hadn’t, and I needed to make up for my little invasion of her privacy.

I waited until I heard the door open before I even walked toward her room. I practically walked into her. “Oh, hey.”

“Hey. Sorry. I’m not normally in a towel in the middle of the day.”

“You don’t have to explain. You’re more than welcome to hang out in a towel all the time.” Wow, that came off creepy. “I just mean you can do whatever.”

“I went down to the beach and wanted to clean up.”

“Oh, cool. How was it?”

“Nice. I still can’t believe I get to spend the whole summer living on the beach.”

“The novelty will wear off eventually.” I was thinking the same thing about my own thoughts, but mine weren’t about the beach. They were about the image of Carly in a towel that I just couldn’t shake. Or really I couldn’t shake the thought of what she looked like under the towel.

“I doubt it.” She stepped to the side, and I let her pass, following her toward the living room.

“I didn’t know you were moving in today. I was supposed to help you, remember?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. I only brought one bag over and Brody helped me.”

Brody. I shouldn’t have felt the wave of jealousy, but I did. I really needed to get myself in line. “I didn’t see your car outside.”

“It’s at Colin’s. Maddy’s supposed to drop it by with him tonight. They’ll bring the rest of my stuff too.”

“Why don’t we go get it? Save Maddy and Colin the trip?”

“Oh, thanks.” She ran a hand through her wet hair. “Should we go now?”

“Sure, unless you have other plans.”

“Other plans in a town where I know no one.”

“You know people.”

“Yes, I know four.” She walked back to her room and returned with a purse.

I held open the door. “In case math isn’t your strong point, four is more than none.”

She laughed and followed me out. “Really? I had no idea.”

“It’s actually a pretty simple concept.” I started down the stairs, and she followed.

Her flip flops made little slapping sounds on each step. “I guess if I want to be stealthy I should wear different shoes.”

“It might be advisable,” I teased as I held open the door to my Accord. She seemed surprised by the gesture before sliding into the seat.

I pulled out of the lot once she buckled her seatbelt. “Were you serious about the no plans thing?”

She tore her eyes away from her window. “Yeah. What would I be doing?”

“I don’t know. Going out on the town.”

“By myself? No thanks.”

“Yeah, that’s probably not advisable for a girl.”

“I don’t like how sexist that comment is, but it’s probably true.”

I laughed. “Honest. I like it.”

“What other way is there to be?”

“How are you doing?” I hadn’t brought up the whole thing with her sister again, because I didn’t want to upset her, but she almost seemed more distant. I hoped it hadn’t gotten worse.

“I’m fine. Excited to finish moving.”

“You don’t like living with Colin, do you?”

“It’s not that. I just feel guilty. He’s been so helpful and supportive, I don’t want to overstay my welcome, you know?”

“I definitely do.”

“But maybe I’m going to do that to you guys too. I hope you offered me the spot because you actually wanted to.”

I decided to end her doubts immediately. “We wanted you to move in. You’re cool. It’s going to work out.”

“I hope so.”

“I know so.” I reached over to touch her leg to comfort her, but at the last minute I thought better of it, and instead I put a hand behind her seat. If it had been Maddy she’d have thought nothing of it, and let’s face it, neither would I. But Carly was different. She was wearing a short sundress that showed off just enough of her legs to mess with me. Why did I have to feel so comfortable and at ease with her? That comfort would get me in trouble if I wasn’t careful.

“You’re pretty confident, aren’t you?” She watched me carefully.

I continued down the one main road that cut across the island. “Usually.” She’d have to get to know me really well to see any other side.

She laughed this kind of high pitched laugh. Normally I’d have thought it was fake, but I sensed it wasn’t. We rode the rest of the way in silence.

I pulled into the driveway.

She unbuckled her seatbelt. “I have to pack up a few things, so don’t worry about waiting.”

“You sure?” I’d planned to help her.

“I might need your help on the other side though.”

“Just give me a call when you park.”

“Awesome.” She reached to open her door. “Thanks for the ride.”

“Anytime.” I smiled. “I’m glad you’re moving in.”

“Me too.” She hopped out and closed the door.

I waved before pulling out of Colin’s driveway.

Before I’d made it halfway home Ralph called. “Hey, what’s up?” I answered. He only called for two reasons, to ask me to cover him at work or to tell me about a party. I was banking on it being the latter.

“There’s a party at Sean’s tonight. You in?”

“Sure.” I needed to get out. “I’ll see you there.” I hung up. Maybe I’d invite Carly to come with me.