“What a power move,” he said, all admiration. That quickly changed into a stern look. “But you don’t dance onstage ever, and I don’t sing onstage ever, okay? No one wants to hear me try to carry a tune. Not even me.”

Sloane agreed, and they took singing and dancing in public off the table. She let her attention wander over to the beach. Marcus and Felicity had set themselves up on chairs they’d pulled from the boat. So far, Sloane couldn’t deny that they seemed to be a good match. They talked and laughed together almost constantly, even when no one was close to them.

“You know, we never asked what it was they were doing for their talent. We could go over there and hang out? See if we can’t get it out of them.”

Part of Sloane wanted to know what their competition was thinking, but the louder, more insistent part of her had decided the idea had an ulterior motive behind it.

She wanted to know how Brady would react to the idea of being near Felicity again. Not even the cold water could wash away the feeling that she was an outsider when it came to the two. That they were still on the same page while Sloane wasn’t even in the same book.

The last few days, Brady had been at Sloane’s side. From yard work to painting to forced social events, they’d been together. He had to be getting tired of it being just the two of them, right?

Well, duh, Sloane. It’s Brady. He clearly isn’t a fan of most people.

That feeling of being out of sync with the bartender deepened before he could even respond.

“Eh.” He shrugged, all nonchalant. “Honestly, I’d rather keep doing what we’re doing.”

Sloane dipped down into the water again. This time to hide her smile.

…

All attempts to find a common talent for the pageant turned into finally joining the beach bums. True to what he told Sloane, Brady had been happy to have their own little area away from the others.

It was just easy being around Sloane.

Brady didn’t know what “it” was, but he knew he was starting to like the feeling.

Just as he was starting to really like how fun it was to get to know her better.

“So, when all this is over, you’re headed back to the service industry, huh?” Brady had his arm slung over his eyes, blocking out the sun. His swimsuit was almost dry from the heat, but it still felt nice to lounge. The smell of coconut from Sloane’s sunscreen was the cherry on top.