Your first job—do you remember it? I worked in a drycleaner (manning the front), which was kind of fun, actually, because my best friend worked there as well. Shenanigans ensue when you work with your friend—as Lex quickly finds out during her summer at SmartMart.

I backed up, hefted the can in my hand and rolled it toward the boxes. Jake and I both laughed as boxes flew everywhere.

“Your turn to set up,” he said.

I couldn’t help myself. I crouched down to pick up the boxes and built a macaroni box pyramid—proud that I made four tiers instead of Jake’s three.

“Okay, your turn,” I said, turning to face Jake, but Noah was standing in his place, frowning, his arms crossed. Jake was nowhere to be seen—probably ran as soon as he caught sight of the manager.

“What are you doing?” Noah asked.

“Oh, um, I was just—“

“You can’t stack boxes of food like that. What are you thinking?”

Crap. “I’m sorry. I’ll pick it up.” My face burning, I turned back to the pyramid of boxes. It sucked being called out by Noah like that. I’d have hoped he’d have a better sense of humor. Or at least not make me feel like such a slacker.

A can rolled past me, knocking into the pyramid and scattering boxes everywhere.

I whipped around to see him smirking. “Told you,” he said. “You didn’t build it with enough support at the bottom. Way too easy.”

I picked up the can of green beans and hefted it in my hand, walking toward him slowly. His eyes widened as if he thought I was going to throw it at him, though the shit-eating grin still lingered on his face. “Your turn to set it up,” I said when I reached him. “Let’s see if an architect can build a better a pyramid.”