Sloane felt like a total loser because she didn’t even flinch.

“You know the big scene in Flashdance? In front of the judges? I can do that. Every step, every twist, every move.”

Brady’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth in a giant smile but didn’t say anything. Sloane lowered herself until the water was at her chin, slightly embarrassed.

“My mom was obsessed with it, and, well, I became obsessed, too. But if it’s all the same to you, I don’t think I’ll ever be emotionally, mentally, or physically able to do that in public. Definitely not on a stage.”

“And does that go for all dancing onstage or—?”

“All dancing onstage is a no-go for me.”

Brady shrugged. “Had to try.”

He lowered himself in the water to lessen their height difference. It was a weirdly sweet move that Sloane wasn’t even sure he’d done on purpose. Still, it made her smile. If he noticed the change, Brady didn’t say. Instead, his eyebrows drew in together, creating an ultimate look of focus.

She had a feeling she wasn’t the only one who wanted to throw down at the pageant.

“Everything I would consider myself really good at is bar-related,” he finally decided. “Slinging mixers, making drinks—”

“Keeping the secrets of women who have had too many of those drinks.”

He snorted. “Yeah, but none of these is a skill that I think can wow at a pageant. What’re your other two things?”

“I’m really good at old-school arcade games like Donkey Kong. And haven’t lost a game of ping-pong since I was sixteen.” Sloane laughed before she could finish talking. “Holy waffle fries. We are so screwed, aren’t we?”

“Well, we certainly aren’t going to win the grand prize of that fancy, oversize trophy at this rate.”

“Or let the town know we’re fun and remind them that Cassidy’s Place is fun, too.”

They swam around for a few more minutes, throwing out suggestions from movies they’d seen and real-life pageants. No suggestions really landed. Sloane was ready to give up, wondering if it would be easier if the pageant didn’t call for couples to do a talent together, when Brady asked an innocent and reasonable question.

“Ms. Peggy said your parents were in the pageant back in the day, right? What was their talent?”

Sloane’s heart ached and swelled and tore just a bit all at once. If the water hadn’t been gently swaying her, she would have frozen in place, totally caught off guard.