Page 60 of Double Puck

“You…”

But it never comes.

Instead, his expression softens, like he’s connecting invisible dots in that overactive brain of his.

“Okay.” He shrugs, casual as hell. “You can't swim. So I’ll teach you.”

“Beck—”

“Privately. When no one else is awake,” he says, pressing a lime wedge into my hand. “How about… Six AM?”

"Six AM?" I freeze as my eyes narrow. “This is because of the boardwalk run, isn’t it?”

“You tell me, babe. Does revenge taste like lime juice and salt?” His grin is wicked, his blue eyes sparkling brighter. “I think so. Now, we’re even.”

I shake my head, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips. “This is going on your report.”

"Good." He moves closer, his voice suddenly low and teasing. “But maybe don’t wear that sexy running gear I've been thinking about all week. Pool lessons require swimwear, Darce. Skimpy, slutty swimwear.”

Before I can fire back, Beck leans in like he might kiss me again. I turn to face him, and I can't help but start to lean in.

But as I do, my phone erupts with a sharp ping from the bar top.

I look down to see Colin's name dim on the screen. And from the subject line of the email notification, it’s urgent.

"I, uh," I look back to Beck, then to my phone. "I should get this."

Beck takes one last, satisfied look at my red cheeks before a yell from Declan drags him back to the basketball game.

Beck walks away, and I swipe open the email.

My stomach drops.

Darcy, we've had some serious meetings today. Turns out, I need your professional opinion about Beck Morrison in three weeks. Teams are interested. We're already talking numbers. Make it count.

My stomach knots as I reread Colin's words.

Your professional opinion.

A week ago, that would've been easy.

Now I'm staring across the deck at Beck, laughing as Morgan tries to steal the basketball from him in her drenched swimmers, while Zoey shouts at Mason and Josie sits curled against Declan beneath the California sun.

Three weeks.

I have three weeks to decide whether Beck Morrison belongs in Beachside.

And suddenly, I'm not entirely sure I want to imagine this place without him.

Chapter 10

Darcy

The Morrison Beach Mansion is dead quiet.

No music pumping, no brothers arguing, no Diego... doing whatever Diego does.

It's just me, my nerves, and the ocean stretching out beyond the gorgeous pool I'm pretty sure I'm about to drown in.