Kelsey didn’t know what to think anymore. What he said made a lot more sense than her own fears. After all, hadn’t Donna told her how safe the island was? And why would anyone have just walked into the cottage knowing the boys were probably around somewhere? She was tired, and she was jumpy—and more than anything she didn’t feel like arguing anymore.

“What you’re doing for Justin,” she said at last, “I think it’s nice.”

“Of course it’s nice, I’m a nice guy.” Laughing, he gave her a hug and pulled her to the jeep, taking a flying leap into the front while she hesitated by the door.

“Coming?”

She hadn’t heard Justin come up behind her, and now she felt his hands on her shoulders.

“Oh…I don’t think I should,” she turned to smile up at him and felt his chin brush the top of her head.

“Why not?”

“Well,” she said awkwardly, “this is for all your friends and everything, and—”

“You’re my friend.” His smile was gentle, and he tapped one finger on her arm. “Aren’t you?”

Their eyes held for a long moment.

Flushing, she looked down and stammered, “Well…yes…I’m your friend.”

“I’m glad.”

The horn blared, and Skip shouted, “Hey, you two, climb aboard! Donna’s meeting us there with the food, and I’m starved!”

“You’re always starved,” Justin shook his head and boosted Kelsey into the backseat of the jeep, where she squeezed down uncomfortably beside Neale.

“Okay, everyone, hang on!” Skip called, and the next minute the jeep lurched forward, throwing Kelsey helplessly against her seatmate. Neale shrugged her off as if she didn’t exist, and they didn’t speak a word to each other the remainder of the ride.

Donna had told her how rich Skip’s family was, but Kelsey wasn’t half prepared for his house. While the boys went out to the swimming pool, Donna gave her a tour of all three floors.

“Do you think we should be snooping around like this?” Kelsey hesitated on the landing, mesmerized by the chandeliers, the fine art on the walls, the sculpture lining the carpeted hallways. “What will his parents say?”

“Not a thing. His dad’s on the mainland tonight. Charity ball. His mother’s in Paris with her new boyfriend. And anyway, who’s snooping? It’s practically my house, too.” Donna giggled, and Kelsey followed eagerly at her heels.

When they got to Skip’s bedroom, all Kelsey could do was stare. The place looked more like an apartment—a two-room suite with couches and chairs, a categorized wall of records and tapes, an elaborate stereo system, plush carpeting, framed prints, a paneled library and solid oak desk.

“Hang on, I smell the pizza burning—be right back!”

Before Kelsey could reply, Donna vanished downstairs, so Kelsey went on in, her eyes roaming the room in disbelief. Another whole wall was encased in glass and held trophies—swimming trophies—dozens of them. Kelsey walked over and stared, then turned her attention to still another wall covered with certificates and awards, all neatly framed and bearing Skip’s name. Standing on tiptoe, she tried to read the top row when a voice from behind made her whirl.