Derek hums, the sound low and noncommittal. “You’re a good guy, Mason.”
I shift on my feet, unsure how to respond. “Uh… thanks.”
He studies me for a moment, then sighs. “Just don’t break his heart, okay?”
I blink, caught off guard. “What?”
“Hunter,” he says simply. “He’s my best friend, and I can tell he’s falling for you.”
A nervous laugh escapes me. “We’re just friends.”
Derek raises an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Come on, man. I know what’s going on between you two. Hunter tells me everything. I even know about your big dick—”
“Jesus,” I cut in, eyes wide and face burning. “It’s just a summer fling, alright? It’s… casual.”
He shakes his head, looking almost sad. “That’s what I was afraid of. I thought he could handle something casual, but…” He trails off, rubbing the back of his neck. “He’s getting attached. The way he looks at you—Hunter’s never looked at anyone like that before. Not even Travis.”
I swallow hard, my throat constricting like a snake coiled around my neck.
Somewhere upstairs, the floor creaks—Hunter shifting in bed, restless. And suddenly, the bottle in my hand feels too heavy, my chest too tight.
“I—uh, I should get back to him,” I mutter, brushing past Derek on my way out. “Nice meeting you.”
“Right,” he says, voice clipped. “You too.”
I climb the stairs, nearly tripping over my own feet on the way to Hunter’s room. He’s still sprawled across the bed, head in his hands,groaning softly. Despite being a drunken mess, he manages to look breathtakingly beautiful.
Sitting beside him, I tip the bottle toward his lips. “Drink.”
He pouts. “But–”
“Drink, Hunter. I’m not asking.”
A lazy smirk curls on his face. “You’re sexy when you’re bossy,” he giggles.
I roll my eyes, ignoring the way my stomach is fluttering. “Shut up.”
He drinks the water obediently, slow swallows working down his throat. When he’s finished, I cap the bottle and set it on the nightstand. He leans into me, burrowing against my neck, his breath warm and sweet with champagne.
After a long stretch of silence, I murmur, “Hey… you wanna open your birthday present?”
He tilts his chin up, brows furrowing. “You didn’t have to get me anything. Coming here with me and dealing with my ex and my family was more than enough.”
I roll my eyes. “Too bad. I’m stubborn.”
Before he can argue, I reach over to my duffle bag and dig around until my hand catches the small box. I’ve never been a skilled gift wrapper, so the paper is wrinkled and taped sloppily. I place it in his lap, my pulse thudding faster than I want to admit.
“Go on,” I say, forcing casualness into my voice.
He peels off the paper and opens the lid. Inside, nestled against black velvet, lies a simple necklace: a pendant of blue beach glass, smoothed by years of waves, set in a delicate gold frame. It’s a piece of Claremont Shores for him to take with him when he leaves—a token to remember me.
Hunter blinks at it, frozen.
“I, uh…” I swallow. “I found the glass at work one day. Thought it’d be nice, ‘cause we met on the beach. Aliyah’s cousin makes jewelry, so I asked her to turn it into something. I was super impressed with how quickly she was able to finish it because you’re an asshole and didn’t tell me it was your birthday until a week ago. Anyway, I dunno, maybe it’s stupid—”
“You’re such a dick,” Hunter blurts, voice wobbling. He presses his palms to his eyes. “I’m a crybaby when I’m drunk!”
My chest sinks. “You don’t like it?”
