Callie Coconut is either drinking with his friends or preparing his set on the pool deck, now transformed into a backstage area.
Maybe both.
Work hard, party harder. The McKenna way of life, until one of them crashes.
“What do you want to do?” I ask.
“Find Cal. Stay for a couple of drinks. Be polite. Then I’ll drive you back to West Cove. Maybe you can show me one of those hidden beaches on the way.”
“Tempting,” I say. “But I need to be back at Arcadia early. Big interview with the board first thing in the morning, remember?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll have you tucked in early, love.”
I’m about to say something when a pair of soft hands cover my eyes.Vanilla and patchouli.Only one person wears that perfume.
My lips form a smile.
“Cupcake!”
I scoop Tiffy into a tight hug and spin her around, her laugh humming against my chest. Chin resting on her shoulder, I catch Naomi watching us, arms crossed.
“We missed you at Piña Koko’s happy hour last Friday.”
“Sorry, girls. Arcadia wouldn’t let me escape.” It unsettles me how easily the lie escapes when it comes to Tom.
He steps up beside me and kisses them both on the cheek.
“Ah, my favorite women on the island,” he says, smooth as ever.
Right on cue, he changed into his stage persona the moment we passed security. I watched it happen in real time. It only took seconds.
Tom turns to me.
“I’m off to find Cal. Catch you in a bit.”
He hooks the tips of his fingers in mine as he disappears into the crowd. I watch him leave, probably a second too long. When I turn back, Tiffy’s eyes are on me.
“So… what’s the story with you and McKenna?”
“Not now.”
“So you’re his babysitter tonight?”
Naomi laughs, lifting two shots from Zion’s tray.
“He can handle himself just fine—”
I look over my shoulder just as he hauls himself onto the bar. Tom dances like he never left the stage, bottles in both hands, pouring liquor into open mouths.
He glows like a firefly; bright out in the open, mine to protect when the lights go out.
“Really?” Tiffy’s brows turn asymmetrical. “That’s your definition of fine?”
They’re clearly enjoying the show. I’m not.
“I need to check on him.”
I start to turn away, Tiffy grabs my arm.
