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perspective. “Regan’s definitely a girl,” he says. “Looking good tonight.”
    “Her dad’s not your boss anymore so you don’t have to suck up,” I say. “Er, sorry Regan, I didn’t mean that like it sounds. You do look nice.”
    “It’s okay,” she says. “You had a rough day.”
    “Yeah, about that,” Flynn says, raising his eyebrows. “I hear you clubbed some guy like a baby seal and hauled him ashore.”
    I sigh. “It wasn’t like that.”
    “You don’t need to work that hard to get a date, Phee,” Flynn says. “You’re actually pretty easy on the eyes. Except for the freckles.” He inspects my cheek from close range. “They’re multiplying as we speak.”
    “Can you shut up now?” I ask.
    “I’m just saying that you could take your pick of the Rosewood guys. No need for extreme measures.”
    “Dad told her to stay away from him, anyway,” Graham says. He always switches allegiance when Flynn’s around, probably because of the link to Nate. “Kai Seaver is bad news.”
    “How bad can he be?” Regan asks. “Kai’s dad, Brett Seaver, works for my dad. He’s a good firefighter.”
    Flynn shrugs, every gesture exaggerated to joggle me. “That doesn’t mean Brett’s good news. Or that his son’s good news. You think being a firefighter is an automatic pass in the character department?”
    I do, actually, and Regan does, too. That’s how we were brought up. Firefighters put their lives on the line to save people. They’re heroes. “Except for you,” I say. “Your character’s still under review.”
    I feel his shoulders shake. “Well, if you can resist me, you can resist seal-boy.”
    “Not a problem,” I say. “So everyone can stop worrying.”
     

 
     
     
     
    R egan is waiting for me on a bench when I come out of the hospital. “Initiate plan B,” I say. “Kai’s not accepting visitors.”
    Handing me her jacket and a floppy hat, she says, “Are you sure this is a good idea?”
    “I hit the guy with a pole,” I say, tying back my hair. The least I can do is apologize.”
    “But your dad thinks he's trouble.”
    I twist my ponytail up under the hat. “How bad can he be? Your dad hired his dad.”
    “Dad’s never said anything bad about Brett Seaver, but I can tell he doesn’t like him. And Kai dropped out of school, left town for awhile and now he’s back to repeat senior year. What’s up with that?”
    “So the guy’s got problems,” I say. “All I want to do is apologize.”
    She hands me her sunglasses, grumbling, “Something weird is going on.”
    “Well, we’re not going to find out what it is by sitting around.” I settle the sunglasses on my nose and grin. “Remember your role?”
    Nodding, she repeats, “Flirt with the desk clerk and create a diversion so that you can get upstairs.”
    “Right,” I say. “Unfortunately, the desk clerk is an old lady.”
    “I like a challenge,” Regan says, as we walk toward the door. “By the way, we should try out for the school play.”
    “Sure,” I say. “We could be stars.”
    Regan smothers a laugh as she approaches the desk and starts chatting. I wait a few second before slipping by and into the stairwell. So far, so good. The only problem is that I have no idea what floor Kai’s on and the hospital is four stories high.
    Luckily, names are posted beside each door, so I can scan quickly. I pull off the hat and shades, and walk with purpose.
    The name “K. Seaver” is outside the last room on the second floor. Peeking in, I see Kai lying in bed, with an IV in his arm and monitors flashing beside him. He’s propped up, flipping through a sports magazine and looking a lot healthier than the last time I saw him. His skin is pale with blue undertones, a contrast to his dark, curly hair. He’s even more gorgeous than I thought, and in a turquoise hospital gown, he doesn’t look remotely dangerous.
    Stepping into the doorway, I say, “Hi.”
    Kai looks up from his magazine and scowls