"I thought I'd leave them on the counter at Ice-Cream Palace, where he'll be sure to find them." She yawned and started to close her eyes. "He'll be so surprised," she said, her voice already trailing off.

"I'm sure he will be," I replied. I got up quietly and tucked the quilt around her. First Alex and Toby (not to mention Logan and Pierre) and now this. Things were getting too complicated and the reason was obvious. There were just too many boys!

Chapter 9.

D'awn had almost forgotten how relaxing it was in California. She loved everything about the place. The sunny climate, the sparkling ocean, the big roomy house with the tile floors and slanted skylights. Life was so ... carefree, she decided, stretching out on a chaise lounge on the redwood deck. Her father had a great housekeeper, Mrs. Bruen, who looked after everything and cooked all of Dawn's favorite foods. And Dawn enjoyed seeing her younger brother, Jeff, again. He was much happier since he had left Stoneybrook to live in California with his father.

Life was almost perfect, she decided, munching on an avocado salad that Mrs. Bruen had prepared for lunch. There was only one nagging problem that wouldn't go away, and her name was Carol. Carol was her father's girlfriend, and she rubbed Dawn the wrong way. Dawn couldn't say exactly why she didn't like Carol, but there was something about her that was very annoying. For one thing, she was always there. She spent so much time at the house, you'd think she was part of the family. And Dawn didn't like it one bit.

The doorbell rang later that afternoon, just as Dawn was heading inside to take a shower.

She had spent the whole day soaking up the rays in her bikini, and she was covered in baby oil.

"Sunshine, get the door, will you?" Dawn's father called from the kitchen. Sunshine was his nickname for her.

Dawn threw open the front door and felt like someone had doused her with cold water. Her good mood vanished as she tied her cover-up around her.