The Beach House🌸Rachel

 "Now don't go dressing up for him," Huck practically pointed his finger to Rachel who was looking through her suitcase to find something, evidently spectacular for Cobie. He shook his head with a sigh and tossed her a tee with the surf shop logo. 

"Look, you'll want to be comfortable. Wear your sneakers and jeans. There is a lot of inventory to get to."

"Inventory?" She gave him a peeved look. He couldn't help but smile as he went on to the kitchen to see to the scrambled eggs. At least they could have that and toast along with some strong coffee. 

He told her there hadn't been inventory in ages. "I don't know what Cobie's been waiting for. Evidently, it was you."

She bit into the buttered toast as if she was certainly mad now. He thought she was funny and he couldn't help but smile.

"Somehow, you'll get through the day." He shrugged. It wasn't long after that they made their way to the shop on his scooter. He asked if she could use a skateboard.

"A skateboard?" She sounded offended. 

"Just asking," he said he liked getting around best on a skateboard. Of course, this stumped her. He could see she was looking everywhere for a skateboard to take her to all the equipment in the storeroom.

Of course, Cobie was nowhere around. He was like this. He only wanted to be seen as if he could somehow find prospects for new ventures.  Really, he was a foolish gambler, but Huck wouldn't speak of it.

He went to the glassed fridge near the counter and handed her an energy drink. "Make sure the fridge is filled before you leave at night." He showed her where to find the drinks. "And let me know when we get low in back."

She nodded.

"Are you sure Cobie even runs the place?" Rachel tilted her head as if she was certain Cobie was a no-show.

"Oh, he thinks he does. Ever since Dad's left he's well..he thinks he's stepped up. But he's more eye candy than anything." It was quiet then. It usually was. Huck thought they should be open later, but Cobie said eleven was the ideal time. Really, there were only a few surfers that dropped by. Usually, risk takers and curious tourists. They made sales with their logo merchandise than anything.

Yes, he felt trapped here, but there was Rachel and it was interesting watching her looking at everything like a kid in a candy store.

His cell awoke him. Jamie was answering him.

"Oh, so she made it."

Huck winced at the text. Was that all he was going to say.

"Where in the hell are you?" Huck pushed back in a text. Of course, the cell went cold. Huck sighed. Why did he even want to be friends with someone he didn't actually know in person? Yes, this was strange to think meeting Rachel was because of Jamie.

"I just thought you might be lonely." A text lit up his screen again. Huck sighed after he read it. Who did Jamie think he was? Matchmaker definitely never came to Huck's mind.