Page 100 of Tourist Trap

"Oh my god, stop it!" I say, but he doesn't; instead, he reaches for me, and despite my backing up with a laugh, he gets to me quickly and grabs me, pulling me into the towel with him and getting me all wet.

Fifteen minutes, and, yes, a mini makeout session under the boardwalk later, I'm making rounds to check on all of the events we have going on. Miles is holding my hand as we walk down the boardwalk toward the beach entrance. The rec employee checking badges at the entrance nods us in, even though neither of us has beach bags on us, and I give her a smile of thanks.

Looking over my shoulder at the people milling about, my heart is so full, knowing that we absolutely blew whatever goals Helen had for fundraising out of the water.

Once on the sand, we move down the shoreline to check out the sandcastle competition, taking in all of the creations the kids have made. Some of them are just pushed-together sand piles, and others were clearly aided by parents. There are drip castles and bucket castles, and even someone's dad buried in a sandy mermaid tail, but my brow furrows when I move to the end of the walk and see a group of giggling girls around the last contestant.

"Who's that?" Miles asks, and I shrug but move closer all the same. That's when Miles grabs my wrist, tugging me back so I can't go any further.

"Miles, what—" But the words die on my tongue when one of the young girls shifts, and we see it: Jonah, smiling wide, building an impressive sandcastle, a gaggle of young girls around him, giggling and twirling their hair and— "Oh my god."

"Seems our boy got the much-needed self-confidence boost he needed."

Jonah says something, and all the girls let out a laugh.

"Where did he get that?"

"I may have pulled him aside the other day and given him some girl advice."

I shift to look at him, my jaw dropping. "You're joking." Miles shrugs, and I shake my head, smiling at him. "You know, under that grumpy exterior, you really are a nice guy."

He looks at me for long moments before he smiles again and pushes hair behind my ear. "Don't tell anyone."

"Your secret is safe with me," I whisper.

* * *

"We did it, Claire!" Helen says, coming over as we watch about a dozen tables lined up, kids on either side eating their bowls of ice cream, giggling and smiling all along.

"We made the money for the soccer team?" I ask with a wide smile.

"And then some! The wrestling team is already half-funded. And the day is still young."

I pull her into my arms and squeeze her. "I told you! You just need to capitalize on the busy season. I bet you can fund almost everything in the summer season alone. Add another event like this next summer, so you have two, maybe three events throughout the season? Perfect."

I already suggested a monthly or even, if they can manage it, weekly live music on the beach night, and Helen agreed it could be a great idea and brought it up with the town to figure out permit requirements for a temporary stage.

"She's a smart one, Miles."

He puts an arm around my shoulders, pulling me in and pressing a kiss to my hair.

"Don't I know it," he says.

"We're getting together a volleyball team," June says, coming out of nowhere, her fingers wrapping around my wrist and tugging me toward the sand. "We need you."

"I'm still—" I start, but Helen shakes her head.

"Go on! Go have some fun!" Helen shouts at me with a wave of her hand. "You're supposed to be off the clock by now."

"I was planning on helping?—"

She shakes her head again. "You're off the clock, Claire. Enjoy your night." And then she walks off, ending any discussion.

"Come on! It's me, you, and Lainey versus Miles, Grant, and Deck." As much as I like girl power, that sounds like a recipe for disaster.

I sigh and turn to Miles. "You in?" I ask. "It's on the list."

He smiles wide, then shrugs. "Where you go, I go."

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