Sun-Kissed Christmas (Summer) by Katherine Applegate Page B

slowly inched forward. “You think the long-distance romance with Diana will work?”
    “It’s not a romance yet,” Seth said, shaking his head. “More like a really cautious flirtation. Being with Diana is sort of like dating a porcupine—you have to be real careful about the moves you make.”
    “An analogy I’m sure she’d appreciate.”
    At last they made their way to the front of the line. Summer handed her package to the clerk. “Could you send this priority? I need it to get to New England by Christmas.”
    “So how is ol’ Adam? Or should I say Jared?” Seth asked. “You stay in touch?”
    “Yeah, we write each other. Or I write and he tape-records, I should say. He still doesn’t have much use of his right hand. But I think he’s doing better since he moved back up to New England with his family.”
    “That whole thing must have been a shock for you,” Seth said. “Finding out the accident victim you’ve been hired to take care of is really an old boyfriend.”
    “It wasn’t so bad, really. If you watched more soap operas, Seth, you’d realize that kind of thing happens all the time.”
    “But that’s fiction, Summer. This is real life.”
    She grinned. “How can you tell the difference?”
    “Twelve-fifty,” the clerk said as she labeled the package. Summer handed her a twenty.
    “What do you buy a guy covered from head to toe in bandages, anyway?” Seth asked. “I’m guessing hedoesn’t need any sunscreen.”
    Summer rolled her eyes. “I got him a new computer chess game. Nearly wiped out my meager savings, but I knew he’d like it. He used to slaughter me whenever we played.”
    The clerk handed Summer her change, and they headed back into the mall. As she tucked the bills in her purse Summer looked up to see Seth staring at her oddly.
    “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked. “Do I have something in my teeth?”
    Seth rolled his eyes. “Actually, I was just thinking what a great person you are. And that I’m really glad we can still be friends.”
    “Great how?”
    “The way you got over Adam lying to you, the way you’re okay with Diana and me … I don’t know. You don’t hold grudges. You let things go. That’s why you’re great.”
    Summer took Seth’s arm. “You’re pretty great yourself, Seth Warner.”
    He looked dubious. “Think Diana will figure that out?”
    “I do, actually. But just to be on the safe side, when we get near Santa, I’ll let go of your arm, okay?”
    Seth laughed. “Good thinking.”

    “Where do you think they went?” Diana asked again.
    “I’m going out on a limb here and guessing the mailing center,” Marquez replied.
    Diana chewed on a thumbnail. “You think?”
    “No, Diana. The package to Adam was just an elaborate ruse so that Summer could seduce Seth in the romantic candlelit atmosphere of Mailboxes Etcetera. Will you get a grip already?”
    Diana scanned the Santa display. “Where’s Sarah?”
    “Right over there.” Marquez pointed. “Checking out the fake elves. You know, all things considered, we were much better fake reindeer.”
    “Are you as tired as I am?” Diana asked. “This mommy stuff is exhausting.”
    “This mommy stuff sucks,” Marquez corrected. “You know”—she lowered her voice—“there was a time, last summer, when I was seriously thinking that the only way I could hold on to Diver was to sleep with him. Now I’m really glad I got my act together and decided to wait. Sarah’s a cute kid and all, but I’ll tell you something—being around her is, like, the ultimate in birth control.”
    Diana laughed. “Yeah, I know what you mean. I’ve been chasing after her since six this morning. If I sing one more chorus of ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ I want you to shoot me, okay?”
    “No way. Then I’d be stuck with her full time.”
    Diana rubbed her eyes. “You think this wholething is crazy?”
    Marquez arched one eyebrow. “Do you really want me to answer that?”
    “I