Moonglass

probably assumed they were just a couple of single bachelors. He came up the front steps and poked his head in the door. “Last chance to change your mind.”
    I leaned my head back on the chair. “Nah, I’m stayin’. Ashley might come down to hang out.”
    “All right. Suit yourself. He’s gonna be disappointed, though. You’ll hear it next time you see him, for sure.”
    “I know.”
    “Okay. I don’t know how long we’ll be out. There’s plenty to throw together for dinner. If you go anywhere, leave me a note.” I nodded. “Bye, Dad. tell Andy I said hi, and get some fish while you’re out there.”
    “Will do.”
    As soon as he pulled out, I jumped up and went to find my bathing suit for the day. Within ten minutes I was on the sand, heading over to the mystery lifeguard in the tower. He saw me coming and came outside on the deck of it without taking his eyes from the water. I stopped in front of his ladder and squinted up at him. He kneeled down, eyes still on the water.
    “Hi there. Can I do something for you?” His big, cheesy smile was further complimented by his dark brown mustache and reflective aviators.
    I smiled back, tilted my head, and leaned on the tower ladder. “Hopefully. I’m looking for a guard who works here … Tyler.” I stopped, realizing I didn’t know his last name, then tried to recover. “I thought he was schedulled for this tower today.” Another smile crept across the lifeguard’s face, though this time it was more mischievous. He raised an eyebrow. “He was schedulled for this tower … until our new supervisor up and shifted the schedule all around for some reason.” He pushed his sunglasses back into the mass of salty-dry curls and smiled at me with eyes older than I had initially guessed he had. “You must be Anna.” He stuck out a hand. “I’m James. James Mil er. And I’ve been warned about you already.”
    We shook, and I smiled back, startled. “ Warned? By who?”
    “Oh”—he grinned again—”a few different sources…. Cute little blond girl trying to pass herself off as a regular ol’ tide-pooler, when she’s actually the daughter of the boss man.” He took in an exaggerated deep breath. “Yep. I’ve heard about you. Luckily, my taste is far more sophisticated … like Mona here.” He motioned to a woman jogging through the soft sand. Her skin shone, brown and oiled, except for her face, which was shaded under a running hat. Along with her resolved expression she wore a sports bra, a water belt, and bikini bottoms. She passed by the tower and nodded at James. He gave a wave and watched as she went by. When she did, there was nothing I could do but marvel. Her bikini bottom was a black thong that revealed a high, rounded butt of all muscle. “The benefits of running the beach,” he muttered, shaking his head.
    “Wow. She’s gotta be in her forties.” James nodded appreciatively, still looking. I tried to figure out how old he was. He carried himself like a young guy, but the lines around his eyes told a different story. He was probably a perma-seasonal, as my dad called them. Guys that started out lifeguarding for their summer jobs at sixteen and just kept on doing it and living the life. I liked James already. He was like every one of my dad’s friends that came around. All of them wanted to be young forever, and at some point they neglected to realize that they weren’t. We both stood and watched Mona bump farther and farther away.
    “So, little Ryan.” He turned to me. “You’re looking for Tyler Evans, just so you know. There’s about five Tylers who work here, but he’s the one you sicced your dad on the other day. Unintentionally, I’m sure. He’s been banished to Tower Two for the last week.” I stood silently, not knowing if I should apologize or laugh. James helped me out. “Walk on down and say hi. It’s the least you could do. And, hey, tonight’s the end of the season lifeguard bonfire, down at Muddy Creek.” He held his arms out like a circus ringleader, then bowed to me. “If he doesn’t invite you, then, I have.” With that he picked up his binoculars and scanned the water to the south, then swept up to the north, where I was sure Mona and her amazingly toned butt were the main points of interest.
    “Thanks,” I said, and turned south, toward Tower Two.
    “See you tonight, sunshine!” James called out. “Bring your tiny blond friend.” I turned back and put my hands to my mouth.
    “She’s