“This your first time here at the Infiniti? Crazy, right? I just love the ocean breeze you get out here. Best bar on the island.”

“It is nice,” I allow.

“I’m going to buy you a drink,” he says, emboldened.

Notice there’s not even a question. It’s a bald statement of fact. He’s going to buy me a drink. And presumably this is going to mean I owe him something.

The glitter twins long forgotten, Halsey lowers himself into the seat next to me as he signals to the bartender. I’ve barely had the time to sip my first drink, but now I have a backup coming. I understand the strategy: he’s trapped me here for at least two drinks. After which…well, I’m sure he’ll suggest something.

We do the usual What’s your name? and Wow, such a lovely name and You’re an actress? I would have guessed model and so on until he finally builds up to his bold suggestion: You know where you can catch the best ocean breezes? On a boat.

“You’re right,” I say. “I love the open seas.”

“Then you’re in luck, because I happen to own a boat. A yacht, in fact. Squadron 60. You ever been on one of those? It lives in that sweet spot where bad-ass meets luxury.”

Pretty sure he’s quoting the man who sold him the yacht right now.

“I’m not sure I’m dressed for a boat ride, Jamie.”

“That’s the beauty of a yacht, sweetie. You can wear anything you want.”

Wait for it.…

“Or nothing at all,” he continues.

I scrunch up my nose a little and turn my attention back to the dregs of my first cocktail. I have to let him know that he’s just stepped over the line. Not a deal breaker, necessarily, but I’m not some strumpet who will strip naked at the mere suggestion of a spin around the bay.

Halsey, to his credit, senses this and immediately turns it down a gear.

“You’re right, though. That dress is too pretty for a cruise. How about we take a stroll down the beach? My family spends the holidays down here every year, and I could show you some places the locals don’t even know about.”

“Could you,” I say.

Is this what he told Paige Ryerson? Meet me later, I’ll show you a place the locals don’t even know about—like six feet under the sand. For a brief moment I wonder if he’s a thrill killer, and he’s done this thing a half-dozen times before, at ports all over the Caribbean, protected by Daddy’s bankroll and loyal Captain Kurtz.

I’m curious to see if he’d try such a thing with me.

But before I can respond, I hear a loud exclamation: “Brah! I didn’t know you were coming back to the island!”

I swivel around to see Paolo Salese, playboy lifeguard, arms open and waiting for a hug from his pal Jamie.

Chapter 21

JANA (continued)

“Duuuuude,” Jamie says, then wraps his arms around Paolo for a very manly yet intimate hug. There is more grunting and laughing, and there are more exclamations. For a minute I feel very much like a third wheel. Then Paolo catches a glimpse of me.