Free Robyn by Jade Parker Page B

sense. All of us working at the park together. On the other hand, there were so many employees that it was hard to get to know everyone.
    “This is Robyn,” Caitlin said, indicating me. “My best friend.”
    “I’ve seen y’all at the park together,” Tanner said. “And that other girl — what’s her name?”
    “Whitney,” Sean said before either Caitlin or I could respond.
    “Oh, yeah.”
    It sounded like he knew her but shehadn’t made much of an impression on him. Hard to believe.
    “We better find a place,” Caitlin said, “before all the good spots are taken.”
    “I told Whitney we’d meet her here,” Sean said.
    “Whitney’s coming?” I asked, then blinked my eyes several times to keep them from looking big — anything not to look surprised. On the other hand, I was surprised.
    “Yeah, she didn’t have anything to do tonight. I figured you wouldn’t mind,” he said.
    Okay, now I really was going to be the odd person out.
    “We don’t mind,” Caitlin said.
    I really struggled not to look surprised at that comment. She didn’t even like Whitney.
    “Here,” Caitlin said, tugging the bag holding the quilt from my grasp. “Tanner and I will go find a spot on the knoll behind third base while y’all wait for Whitney.”
    I was used to Caitlin deciding what we were going to do, used to her not waiting for me to voice any objections, but waiting with Sean while he waited for Whitney, why would she think I’d want to do that? But with her already leaving with Tanner, I didn’t know how to make a graceful exit.
    So I stood there waiting.
    “What’s with all the eye blinking?” Sean asked. He was dressed in his usual black: black jeans, black T-shirt.
    “What? Oh.” I shook my head. “Something Caitlin said.”
    He chuckled. “She said something to make you blink your eyes? That makes no sense.”
    “She said that when I’m surprised, my eyes get big and round.”
    “Everyone’s do. It’s a reflex.”
    “Yeah, but now I’m thinking about it.”
    “So think about something else. Besides, guys like big eyes.”
    “They do?”
    “Oh, yeah. Totally.”
    It was strange to realize that he was trying to make me feel better or make me feel more comfortable or something.
    “Have you ever noticed the girl who works the ticket booth at the water park?” he asked. “All squinty. I can’t even figure out what color her eyes are. Yours? No question. Brown.”
    He noticed my eyes? Well, I guess they were hard to miss. And I had noticed his. A long time ago.
    He glanced around, obviously looking for Whitney, wanting to make sure he didn’t miss her. Why was I even still here? All I had to do was say that I was going to go on in. Then I could find Caitlin and feel awkward around her and Tanner, which would probably be worse since I didn’t even know Tanner. Maybe I should just call my mom and ask her to come get me. Tell her I have a headache or something.
    “Let me ask you something,” Sean finally said.
    “Sure.”
    “Is it driving Caitie crazy trying to figure out who the new cute babe at the park is?”
    “How did you know —” And then it dawned on me. I felt my eyes widen, and I didn’t care. “You sneak!”
    He laughed. “Hey, it’s only fair. If she wasn’t always eavesdropping, I wouldn’t have to do it. She is so nosy.”
    I couldn’t believe he’d told me. It was like a true confession or something. “So there is no cutie?” I asked.
    He shrugged. “There are lots of cute babes.”
    “But not one in particular?”
    “Nope. I was talking to one of my buds, knew she was outside my room, so I started making stuff up. I do it all the time when I know she’s listening. Come on, admit it, she deserves it.”
    I wasn’t going to admit it. She was my friend. My friend who wasn’t here at the park entrance with me. So what was I doing? Flirting with her brother? No, I was just talking with him.
    “Hey, guys!” Whitney called out as she walked quickly toward us.