“You don’t have to stay . . . if you don’t want to.” I looked out over the water and watched as kids and families played in the waves of Lake Michigan. “Kicking me out already?” “No, I . . . I just don’t want you to think that you’re required to be here. You’re off the clock.” “Ah,” I said, easing back on my elbows. “Don’t worry.” I looked over the top of my sunglasses and winked at him—then had to swallow my smile when I noticed how his jaw worked in response to my playfulness. “I won’t charge you.”
