Page 121 of Hawaii Can Suck It

Panic flares hot under my ribs. My chest is so tight, my stomach is in knots, and if I don’t break eye contact, I’m going to do something profoundly stupid.

Like tell him that I’m in love with him.

Oh shit, I love him.

I do. I really fucking do love him.

The boat’s speakers crackle to life, interrupting my internal crisis. “Attention, passengers! We’ll be departing for shore in approximately thirty minutes. Please gather your belongings and prepare for our return journey.”

Reece stands. “I want to jump off the plank a few more times. You in?”

I clasp his hand, allowing him to pull me to my feet with effortless strength. “Yeah, but first I need to use the restroom.”

“Hurry back. You can rate my dives on a scale from ‘embarrassing belly flop’ to ‘Olympic gold medal.’”

We separate with a kiss. I make my way down the stairs to the main level, walking through the hall to the restroom when a wall of peroxide blonde materializes.

Astrid.

Her attention appears fixed on her phone, thumbs tapping with robotic precision.

“I gotta ask,” she says, her voice oozing with fake innocence. “Does Reece even realize you’ve been playing him from the start?”

Keep walking, Camila.Don’t acknowledge her.

“All this time, I thought you were just the shy little nobody behind the camera, but you’re playing a whole different game, aren’t you?”

“I’m not playing anything, Astrid.”

She tilts her head, giving me a calculated once-over. “So you’re telling me this relationship isn’t the perfect setup for your little documentary channel? That you haven’t already calculated how many subscribers Reece’s endorsement could bring you?”

My stomach drops to my ankles. “How do you know about my channel?”

“Gordon gets super chatty when he drinks. He went off about his best videographer quitting right before this trip to start some ‘bleeding heart documentary nonsense that’ll never hit six figures.’ Her smile is toxic. “And then—surprise, surprise!—you magically turn from employee to girlfriend in forty-eight freakin’ hours. Crazy, huh?”

I feel the color drain from my face but remain vigilant. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Trust me, I get it. You’re hungry for those subscribers. You’ve been playing the long game. Of course you see the power of Reece’s platform because you’ve helped build it for two years. It’s genius. Ruthless, but genius. That’s what makes us so alike.”

“I’m not using him like you did,” I say, hands curling into fists at my sides,

“I bet you’ve been practicing your pitch in the mirror.” she continues, twisting the knife. “‘Oh, Reece, I’ve been thinking about starting this little channel. Would you mind giving it a shoutout to your followers? It would mean so much tolil’ol’ me.’“ Her mimicry is nauseatingly accurate.

“That’s not—”

“You know what’s truly impressive?” Her eyes gleam with malicious delight. “That waterfall kiss. Brilliant strategy. You’ve got the whole internet shipping you. But some advice: it’s not so easy to fake chemistry long term when there are millions of subscribers and sponsors on the line.”

Something snaps inside me—the last thread of restraint giving way to unchecked fury.

“Unlike you,” I snarl, stepping closer, “I’m not treating him like he’s disposable. My intentions are genuine. Yes, I want Reece to promote my channel. I’m not going to lie, I’ve thought about his followers becoming my audience. Yes, I’ve calculated how his endorsement could help my career.” The words tumble out and I can’t stop them. “Because I’m not stupid, and only a complete idiot would ignore the professional opportunities that have fallen into my lap!”

Her evil smile widens.

“But none of that matters,” I continue, barely pausing for breath, “because I actually care about him. I care about the person, not his brand.”

“Oh, totally believable.” Her tone drips with sarcasm. “So, spill it—what’s the big exit strategy? Wait until he promotes your channel, build your starter audience, then release a tear-jerking breakup video? Or are you thinking of stretching it out for a few more months, really securing your follower base before you ditch him?”

“I don’t have an exit strategy!”

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