Page 80 of The Beach Trap

With my head held high and butterflies fluttering in my belly, I walk through the restaurant and out to the patio, where there’s a bar and a beautiful view of the water and the harbor below.

I see Junior as soon as I walk outside. His back is toward me, but I recognize his tall, slim frame, and the light brown hair that used to be blond when we were young. It’s a bit longer than I’ve ever seen it, but he wears it well. Junior Rooney can wear anything well.

I take a steadying breath, smooth out the skirt of my dress, and approach my target.

“Hey, stranger,” I say in a high-pitched voice that doesn’t sound like my own. Before I can stop myself, I attempt a casualshoulder bump as if we’re bros on the football team—forgetting that Junior is almost a foot taller than me.

Junior startles, looking down at me. His normally chiseled face is covered with a beard that’s a little much for my taste, but that’s why God invented razors. Even with the beard and the lines around his eyes that remind me neither of us is a kid anymore, he’s still hot as hell.

“Kat?” Junior says after a pause that’s a beat too long. He looks surprised, but not in the good way CoCo promised.

“The one and only,” I say, holding my hands out as if presenting myself. “So, what’s a guy like you doing alone in a place like this?”

I cringe as I hear the cheesy line coming out of my mouth—it’s been so long since I’ve attempted to flirt in person that I’ve forgotten how. It’s so much easier on the apps, where you can just swipe right if you’re interested.

“I’m here with somebody,” Junior says, looking over my shoulder toward the door.

“Well, lucky me, I ran into you first,” I say, knowing full well that luck has nothing to do with it.

Junior nods but still seems to be looking over my head.

“Aren’t you going to ask if I want a drink?” I say, flashing the smile that’s usually good for a free vodka soda.

“Uh...”

“It would be fun to catch up,” I say. “It’s been a long time—remember that bonfire on the beach?”

That brings a smile to Junior’s face, and I wonder if he’s fondly remembering the night when we stayed at the bonfire after everyone else went inside, toasting s’mores. The sticky-sweet kiss was my first. It was over before I realized what was happening and I spent the next four years hoping I would have a chance at a do-over.

Before I can think of something witty to say, a blond woman brushes past me and plants her lips on Junior’s. This is not a friendly, “hey, good to see you” kind of kiss. This kiss is a prelude for what’s to come later.

I look away as Junior deepens the kiss—he’s clearly forgotten all about me—and I curse CoCo for getting her signals crossed. Her brother doesn’t seem to be single, seeing as he’s in the middle of a bar, kissing—my sister?

My jaw drops as Blake and Junior separate. “Well, hello to you, too,” she says, smiling up at him, her hand against his chest.

Too early in the relationship, my ass.

The two of them are still staring at each other like I don’t even exist. I shake my head, and I can’t stop the words from tumbling out. “This is why you wouldn’t tell me about your boyfriend?” I ask Blake, trying not to raise my voice, but I’m boiling mad.

Blake turns, clearly shocked to see me. Her expression quickly turns to guilt. This isn’t some accident; everything about Blake is calculated. She’s wearing lipstick, for God’s sake. And one of my grandmother’s sundresses. She knew exactly what she was doing when she went after Junior Rooney, trying to stake her claim on yet another person in my life.

“Kat,” Blake says my name like it’s an apology, but I don’t want to hear it. My mind is spinning back to all those times I asked about her mystery guy and she played coy. I should have known she was up to something—what other reason would a grown woman have to be so secretive? So many fucking secrets.

“What are you doing here?” Blake asks, acting all innocent and confused.

“Me?” I shriek, my voice well beyond a normal volume. “What areyoudoing here? In my grandmother’s dress! You can wear her clothes, but that doesn’t make you one of us. And of all the menin Destin, you had to get involved withhim? You knew I had a thing for CoCo’s brother.”

“I didn’t know he was her brother,” Blake says, stepping away from Junior as if that can erase the memory of their lips locked on each other’s just a moment before.

I laugh even though there’s nothing funny about the situation. “Silly me, I thought you’d be smart enough to realize that the guy namedJuniorliving in hisparents’house would be CoCo’s brother.”

“Stop calling me Junior,” Junior snaps, finally speaking up. “I have my own name.”

I don’t even acknowledge him; this has nothing to do with him.

Blake’s face has gone white. “I thought he was the gardener at first,” she says. “And when I found out he was a Rooney—”

“So youdidknow!” I say, giving a bitter laugh. “Did you go after him just to get back at me? That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? You want to sell my grandparents’ house just to hurt me. Just because you can.”

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