Page 64 of Those Summer Nights (Sweet Cravings 2)

"Let's hear it again for Mila!" the announcer yelled, which caused even more applause.

I walked over to the other girls standing to the side of the stage.

"Such a good move," one of them whispered to me. "I wish I had thought of that. You’re totally going to win."

I smiled to myself. I had J.J.'s attention for the rest of the competition. He didn't even look at the other girls. But I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. He looked kind of…pissed.

"Okay! All the votes are in!" said the announcer. "And the runner up is Mila!"

What? Oh my God.

"You’ve just won a 100 dollar gift certificate to Salt Air!"

I just stood there.

"Mila, come claim your prize!"

I walked over to the announcer and grabbed the gift certificate. It was so surreal. I looked out at the crowd but J.J. was gone. Shit. I didn’t even listen to who the winner was as I quickly got off the stage. A bunch of guys crowded around me, blocking my path. Fuck. Where is J.J.?

"You were awesome up there," one of the guys said.

"Thanks." I tried to see around them, but they were all taller than me.

"So, are you seeing anyone? I'd love to take you out to dinner sometime."

"Yes, I am," I lied. "Sorry, if you'll excuse me."

But none of them moved.

"Let me at least buy you a drink," one of them said.

I’d honestly had quite enough to drink. And if I was going to do anything else tonight with anyone…it would be with my lifeguard. I tried to sidestep the guys again, but none of them moved.

“Excuse me,” I said.

“Oh, come on.” The one that had offered me a drink put his meaty hand on my shoulder.

I suddenly felt claustrophobic. “Get off of me.”

“Don’t be like that…”

“She said to stop fucking touching her.” J.J. stepped through the crowd and shoved the guy who had his hand on my shoulder.

Before anyone else could react, J.J. grabbed my hand and pulled me away from them and through the crowd of people.

"J.J."

He didn't say anything. He just kept leading me away from the party.

"J.J.!"

He ignored me again.

When we were well past all the spectators, I pulled my hand away from him. "What the hell are you doing?"

He turned around. "What the hell am I doing? What the hell are you doing?!" He grabbed my hand again. "I'm taking you home. You're drunk."

"I'm not drunk!" Maybe I was, but that wasn't why I had entered the contest. I just wanted him to notice me. "You’re acting like you’ve never seen me in a bikini before. News flash…half the people at that party were just in their bikinis.”

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