The Perfect Guy (Books We Love Young Adult Romance) by Ann Herrick Read Free Book Online Page A

Bill made me his assistant director. What am I going to do?"
    "Whatever an assistant director is supposed to do, I suspect."
    "That’s just it. What exactly does an assistant director do? Can I handle it?"
    "Take it easy," Celeste said. "Bill trusted you to write the play, didn’t he? You’ll figure out what to do as you go along. Actually, this is the perfect chance for you and Bill to get to know each other better."
    "We could sure use that."
    "I know it hasn’t been easy with Bill, Rebecca, but you can’t expect him to jump right in and fill your father’s shoes. It’s going to take a while for you to form a relationship with him."
    "You’re so logical, Celeste," I said. "Thanks."
    "Any time." Celeste yawned. "It’s getting late. I’d better go."
    "Sure. And thanks again."
    I wasn’t totally convinced that I’d make a competent assistant director, but talking to Celeste soothed my nerves enough so that I could fall asleep.
    The next morning I woke up in a sweat, anxious to get going on the play. I did take time, however, to shower and put on a touch of makeup, in case I ran into Pres.
    The kitchen was deserted. I realized that this was my first meal alone in my new home. Sitting there with the sun filtering through the plants hanging in the kitchen window, I found myself enjoying the early morning quiet.
    "Hi." Pres stumbled into the kitchen, the belt on his robe trailing on the floor, his hair mussed and sticking straight out on one side of his head. He yawned. "Why are you up so bright and early?"
    "I’m going to the library to do more research."
    I wasn’t sure whether I should look at Pres or away from him. I hadn’t expected to see him looking , um, rumpled. Why would he want to wander around in front of me looking like that, unless .... Of course! He felt so comfortable with me now he didn’t worry about how he looked. That was a good sign.
    "Oh, right. The library." Pres scuffed over to the refrigerator. "How about some orange juice?"
    "Sure—"
    There was a knock at the door. It was Josh.
    "Hi." He gestured toward the driveway. "I know I’m a little early, but I got the car today."
    "I’m almost ready," I said. "Sit down."
    "What’s this?" Josh had just caught sight of Pres. "Something the cat dragged in?"
    I couldn’t help laughing. Pres did look bedraggled.
    "I’m hurt." Pres tugged at the lapels of his robe as if it was a tuxedo jacket. "I thought I always looked perfect."
    "Perfectly awful," said Josh.
    Pres looked cute and cuddly sitting at the kitchen table, all mussed and rumpled. I was tempted to kiss him goodbye, but I wasn’t sure if it was time yet, especially with Josh there. So I waved instead. "See you later, Pres."
    In the car I was so preoccupied thinking that I didn’t even realize Josh was driving in the wrong direction.
    "Hey, the library is that way," I said.
    "I know, but I got to your house early, remember? It won’t be open for a while, so I thought we could go for a drive." He turned on some soft music. "I’ll get us there in plenty of time, so just sit back and relax."
    I gazed out the car window as we drove. Spring was definitely taking over in Sandy Cove. The pink blossoms were opening on the Japanese cherry tree in front of Bud’s Market. Daffodils bloomed along the stone wall next to the insurance agency on the corner. The sun was bright and the haze of green on the trees stood out against the clear blue sky. It was the sort of day to be walking along the beach instead of holing up in the library.
    Just then Josh turned down Wharf Lane. "Hey, this is the way to the beach," I said.
    "Clever deduction, my sweet." Josh cackled and twirled an imaginary mustache. "They’ll never find us there."
    "The Mounties always get their man," I cautioned. I enjoyed going along with Josh’s routines.
    "But it’s so sad," Josh said, as he pulled into the beach parking lot, "when what they’re really after is their woman. " He reached over and tugged at my hair.
    "It’s such