Page 119 of Tourist Trap

I love you more,I say in reply, and he smiles wider and then shakeshishead.

Impossible.

As seems to be the way when Miles is looking at me like that, my heart starts to beat wildly, but it tightens when I hear the judges, my head snapping in that direction.

"The ruling stands. The Locals win!" the referee says, and I watch as Brad throws the ball at one of his employees, hitting him in the stomach and knocking him to the sand, but I can’t even take a moment to focus on his obvious temper tantrum because I’m moving.

"Oh my god!" I shout, running for Miles. "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!" I don't hesitate, don't take note of any people in my way. I just move my feet in the sand until I'm jumping into his arms, peppering his face with kisses as I scream. "Miles! You did it!"

He swings me around, his smile so wide and bright I think it might cause some kind of solar disaster, before he sets me down.

“No, we did it,” he whispers, and my eyes start to water as our team comes over to cheer and celebrate our grand win.

This is what I've been missing: community. Friendship. Joy that is based on nothing but making everyone you love happy.

But then Helen and Benny come over, joining in on our cheering, and I can't focus on anything but how much I love this little shore town.

FORTY-ONE

CLAIRE

The Seabreeze is slammed that night, and all of the tables are pushed to the edges of the room, leaving a giant spot in the center of the room for dancing. Lainey is in charge of music, though she’s not actually on the clock, as per her father’s decree.

She is tocelebrate with her friends, though she has found herself behind the bar, albeit a bit tipsy, more times than not tonight to help out her dad since the place is packedand poor Benny can’t keep up.

We don’t need celebration crowns this time because everyone knows we’re champions.

I wince as I throw back another shot then smile at Miles, who is watching me from across the room. He winks at me but doesn’t move from where he’s chatting with Deck.

When I turn to head back to the makeshift dance floor, Helen stops me in my tracks, a soft hand on my arm. “Hey, my girl. I see you’re about to go back on the floor, but I just wanted to tell you you’re off tomorrow,” she says with a smile.

I shake my head, not too far gone to remember that I do, in fact, have work tomorrow.

“No, no. I’m on the schedule.”

“Not anymore, you’re not. Plus, you should sleep in after tonight.”

I cringe, also not drunk enough yet to forget about things like embarrassment. She smiles wider at my grimace.

“I feel like my boss shouldn’t see me like this,” I say with a laugh, but Helen shakes her head.

“What, happy?“ She waves a hand at me like it doesn’t matter.

“I was thinking more like tipsy and headed toward being hammered,” I say with a laugh. “I should probably pace myself, since I’ve gotta be up early.”

“No, no. I told you. You’re off tomorrow. That’s your prize. Enjoy it!” She gives me a smile. "I insist."

I take her in and furrow my brows. "Are you sure?" I ask.

"Yes, yes. You had to work the event, now you're good." I nod, and I make a note to tell Miles that I’m off tomorrow before I completely forget. “But on Monday, I want to talk to you, okay?”

My eyes go wide as my stomach flips with worry. “No one likes to hear that, Helen,” I inform her.

She lets out an entertained laugh before she pats my arm comfortingly.

“Nothing bad, all good stuff." I give her a disbelieving look, and she puts an arm around my shoulders now, pulling me in for a hug before stepping back again. “I promise.”

I continue to glare, and she rolls her eyes.

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